The Sorcerer's House Read Free

done."
    She waited, seeming to feel that I would berate her for it.
    "White, naturally."
    "Yes, white. I could've had it dun, of course." She laughed nervously. "I thought of it, but it wouldn't have been very attractive."
    I nodded. "A yellowish gray, isn't it? With darker mane and tail. Horses are that color sometimes. Do you play the races, Mrs. Murrey?"
    The question surprised her. "Why, no."
    (This is getting lengthy, I find. I shall switch to the other hand.)
    "I did for a while," I said. "It cost me quite a bit of money in the long run, though I enjoyed it at the time. I've always liked horses." I was struck by a thought, George; no doubt the same one has occurred to you. "You know, I was about to say that our family name is taken from the town of Dunmore in Scotland, and had no connection with the color; but I suppose the town's name may very well refer to it. I can easily imagine a yellowish-gray moor."
    Mrs. Murrey chewed, swallowed, and looked baffled. "It would have cost extra to have it painted that color, I'm sure. Do you think it would be attractive?"
    "Not really."
    "Anyway, painting it used up the rest of the money. I haven't been able to do much of anything since. Frankly, Mr. Dunn, it's a wonderful relief to me to be able to turn it over to the new owner." Mrs. Murrey reached across the breakfast table, and we shook hands again. I have found that real-estate people are great handshakers, George. Excuse me if I have said that already.
    I intended to explain that I was not a buyer, but she had gone before I could get out the first word. There was just time enough for me to borrow a bite of scrambled eggs from her plate before she returned, and I made the most of it.
    "Here's the deed, Mr. Dunn. As you can see," she pointed, "your name is already on it. You don't have to register it again. A&I, and I subsequently, have managed the property on your behalf. That was in accordance with instructions left by Mr. Black. Would you like to see them?"
    I shook my head, which was an error. I admit it, George, althoughyou always say I will not own to having made a mistake. I ought to have read them and asked for a copy. I suggested coffee instead.
    After two cups of her truly excellent coffee, I left Martha Murrey & Associates with the deed in my pocket--left hoisted very high indeed upon the horns of a dilemma. I find myself the owner of a valuable piece of property; but the taxes are in arrears, the utilities will doubtless bill me at the end of this month, and I lack the pecuniary means to restore it to salable condition.
    I will not ask you for a loan, George, having sworn that I would never do any such thing again. But if you were to send a few hundred dollars to me at the address above, I would undertake upon my honor to repay three for two as soon as the house sold.
    Please consider it. Look upon it as an investment rather than a loan to your brother.
    Yours sincerely,
    Bax

Number 3
F ROM O NE B IG H OUSE TO A NOTHER

    Dear Shell:

    I have a house now. It is a little run-down and there is no furniture yet, but I seem to own it (I have the deed) and I am living in it. That is why I am writing you. It is a big place, and if you needed a place to crash, you would be more than welcome anytime.
    The side door is a problem. Somebody broke in a while back, and now kids come in at night--or that is how it seems. There are funny noises and so forth. I am going to nail it shut.
    As I said in my last, I have not found work; and to tell you the truth, Shell, for the last month I had pretty much stopped looking. I came to Medicine Man to get away from my brother George and his friends (the people whose money I took) and the university. Fine,I did. Nobody knows me or knows I have been in prison. But there are no jobs worth having. I even tried to get on as a substitute teacher at the high school. Their list is full. Young people leave this town to find work.
    Now I might start looking again. Meantime, I am trying to fix up this