“Now，justoncemore，Maria，“hewassaying。“Tellittousjustoncemore。“Maria’svoicecameupthestairwayinamonotone。MarcusandMcTeaguecaughtaphrasefromtimetotime。
“Thereweremorethanahundredpieces，andeveryoneofthemgold——justthatpunch-bowlwasworthafortune-thick，fat，redgold。“
“Getontotothat，willyou？“observedMarcus。“Theoldskinhasgotherstartedontheplate。Ain’ttheyapairforyou？“
“Anditranglikebells，didn’tit？“promptedZerkow。
“Sweeter’nchurchbells，andclearer。“