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watching him closely。
〃Most times; if I want to。 But usually I don't try。〃
〃Why not?〃
〃Well 。。。〃 he paused a moment; troubled。 〃It would be like peeking into the
bedroom and watching while they're doing the thing that makes babies。 Do you
know that thing?〃
〃I have had acquaintance with it;〃 Hallorann said gravely。
〃They wouldn't like that。 And they wouldn't like me peeking at their thinks。
It would be dirty。〃
〃I see。〃
〃But I know how they're feeling;〃 Danny said。 〃I can't help that。 I know how
you're feeling; too。 I hurt you。 I'm sorry。〃
〃It's just a headache。 I've had hangovers that were worse。 Can you read other
people; Danny?〃
〃I can't read yet at all;〃 Danny said; 〃except a few words。 But Daddy's going
to teach me this winter。 My daddy used to teach reading and writing in a big
school。 Mostly writing; but he knows reading; too。〃
〃I mean; can you tell what anybody is thinking?〃
Danny thought about it。
〃I can if it's loud;〃 he said finally。 〃Like Mrs。 Brant and the pants。 Or like
once; when me and Mommy were in this big store to get me some shoes; there was
this big kid looking at radios; and he was thinking about taking one without
buying it。 Then he'd think; what if I get caught? Then he'd think; I really want
it。 Then he'd think about getting caught again。 He was making himself sick about
it; and he was making me sick。 Mommy was talking to the man who sells the shoes
so I went over and said; ‘Kid; don't take that radio。 Go away。' And he got
really scared。 He went away fast。〃
Hallorann was grinning broadly。 〃I bet he did。 Can you do anything else;
Danny? Is it only thou