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“But I have not stated any hard terms, Orfeo. Just some conditions, such as writing the story I told you, and believing it. Is that too harsh a bargain?” he asked me. “Iflam to carry it out, Adam, it is not harsh, but let us say that it is difficult. If I did not carry it out, my conscience would slowly wilt me inside. Whichever I do, the money would stifle me. But,” I pursued, “let me ask you something. Did you accept Saturn’s offer to cure you when you knew he could, and when he extended the gift of such a cure to you?” “You are a scholar and a philosopher, Orfeo,” he slowly answered. “No, I did not accept it and I would not now accept it. Nature has a Divine plan whose vastness is far greater than any riches, and far more meaningful than my limited self. Were I to have accepted his offer, I would be alive but not living, and in a few years I would have to face once again the prospect of going, this time in fear. I do not want fear.” “Well,” I replied, “I feel the same toward your offer. Give your small riches where they belong. I have my riches. These three nights cannot be purchased with money. Your story is in my hands. If I cannot write it, I have lost nothing. If I am ever up to writing it, the satisfaction and comfort it can bring me will far exceed what you offer and it will be with a clear conscience that I get what I get. I must face my wife, my sons, my friends, and the world, Adam, and I want to face them for what I am. You have revealed to me a mine of endless wealth. I do not want to lock the doors to it with a mere ten thousand dollars. I would give that much just to see Launie dance in the glass once more. I really would.” at the mention of her name but he remained quiet. The dawn was now bright morning, with a full sun in the east. “Just look at that clear sun, Adam,” I said, breaking the long silence. “I'll bet Earl saw nothing like that in Seattle. He should be back any minute. He was due back yesterday, in fact.” Adam looked into space. “Yes, Seattle,” he said. “I must “T must 206 SON OF THE SUN We drank our coffee in silence. Adam was in wistful memories