Book Meme

[shipperx]

:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 4-7 sentences on your LJ along with these instructions.
5. Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest (unless it's too troublesome to reach and is really heavy. Then go back to step 1).

Luckily only one book on the table beside me.

Mary dived to unwedge the rolled-up magazine propping open the door and hand it to Fairchild, who jammed it into a file cabinet drawer, then leaped back to the desk just in time to sit down and then stand up again as the Major entered.

From all the comments, Mary had been expecting a gorgon, but the Major was a small, slight woman with delicate features and only slightly graying hair. When Mary saluted and said, "Lieutenant Mary Kent, reporting for duty, ma'am," she smiled kindly and said in a quiet voice, "Welcome Lieutenant."

"I was just showing her round the post," Fairchild said.

"That can wait. Assemble the girls in the common room. I have an announcement to make," the Major said. Which meant the V-1s had hit on schedule after all, and the Bethnal Green FANYs, like the Coastal Defense officer, had been ordered not to say anything till an official announcement had been made.

Blackout ~ Connie Willis

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[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

An Embarrassment Of Riches, James Howard Kunstler

Our host arrived home well before we tied up at his quay and came down to await us with a gig for the ride uphill to the mansion. We had barely time to apologize for our dishelved state when we were led to Ravenel's fine bathhouse behind the main dwelling. Here we happily scrubbed our skins pink and were barbered and shaved by an elderly slave, expert in his office, and finally were treated to the ultimate delight of fresh linen shirts and breeches. I tell you, the aroma of soap had as much intoxicating power to me as the most potent liquor. I felt like a new man.

Thus bathed, barbered, and attired we were conducted to the front portico, where Judge Ravenel, his plump, good-natured wife, Martha, their daughter, Clara, and son-in-law Joseph Hardin, awaited us with a tray of dainty eatables and a pitcher of that region's favorite beverage, the mint julep, a decoction of powerful Kentucky whiskey doctored with a spoonful of sugar syrup and crowned with a sprig of mint leaves.