Day 3
Skipper paced back and forth in the narrow walkway. He’d look out the small window in the door, and he began humming to fill the silence. Hans started to get irritated. “What’s the matter with you? Are あなた having a seizer?” He asked smart-allecky.
“No! It’s just killing me not knowing what’s going on!”
“So in other words you’re starting to go crazy?”
“In a way I guess.”
“Well don’t get your feathers in a twist we’ll be out of here によって tomorrow afternoon.”
“Seems like years away.”
“What did Eve say to you?”
“All she was able to tell me is that my team was 安全, 安全です and not to worry about anything.”
“That’s all?”
“Well we shouldn’t talk about this here either.” He heard Hans sigh.
“Right. I was just making conversation. I’m so bored.”
“Well…we could…talk about something else.”
“Um…okay…can I ask あなた something?”
“What?”
“Do あなた 愛 Eve?”
Skipper darted a look at the drain. “What?”
“Well あなた 発言しました talk about something else.”
“Not about my 愛 life!”
“So あなた do 愛 Eve?”
“It’s none of your business whether I have feelings for her または not!”
Bored, Hans found amusement in taunting him. “Skipper and Eve! Swimmin’ in the sea! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”
“Shut up Hans!”
Hans started laughing like an idiot. Skipper sat down on the floor and leaned against the ウォール crossing his arms. Hans began to breathe again. He sighed. “You know Skipper, there’s nothing wrong with having feelings for someone. I don’t know why あなた hide it.”
“Because of people like you.”
“Touché. Do あなた know when they serve us around here?”
“Well that was a ランダム question.”
“What? I’m hungry!”
“Oh suck it up. They won’t let us starve. They’ll give us something eventually.”
“Well it had better be soon. I’m withering away to nothing here.”
“Well I don’t know about that. I’m sure you’ve got a bit of spare time.”
“Hey!”
Skipper laughed at Hans’s annoyed tone. “Now we’re even.”
“If あなた could see my face right now…you would know that I am not amused.”
“I know. And if あなた could see my face あなた would see me sticking my tongue out at you.”
“Oh very classy…wait a minute…are we actually getting along?”
Skipper’s eyes widened. “If we are then I’m shutting up now.”
“Whatever.”
Skipper didn’t answer back. He went deep in thought again.
A couple もっと見る hours went によって before they were 与えられた something to eat. That’s when they found out that those in the hole would be fed later, and less, as punishment. That night Skipper heard someone approaching outside his door. He went to the small window and looked out.
He watched as a guard passed によって escorting エビ to a hole. As he passed, he looked at Skipper though the window. Skipper eyed him suspiciously. What is he doing here? He thought. He remembered him saying he wasn’t proud of his crime. What did he do that sent him to the hole?
Hans also took notice of the ペンギン who told him about Snake pass によって his hole. He too wondered what he’d done. エビ struck Hans as the type that would get out due to good behavior. Witnessing this changed his mind.
Day 4
Skipper woke up with a tired groan. These cots were worse than the cell beds. It was like sleeping on a rock…with sandpaper. Once again he started pacing, only this time he cut out the humming. He kept thinking about what would happen after he was released from the hole. Then he heard something. He looked out of the little window and looked at the hole across from him. エビ was in there. He looked as though he was about to lose his mind.
From what he could see エビ was standing on 上, ページのトップへ of his cot; he was frantically looking around, as if trying to find a way out. “Psst! こんにちは Shrimp! あなた alright?”
エビ darted his look at his small window, jumped off the cot, and leaned into it. “Nah man! I’m goin’ crazy in the confined space! I gotta get out of here!”
“Now, now, just calm down. How long are あなた supposed to be in here?”
“They told me I was going to be in here for five days! I can’t take a whole week of this!”
“What on Earth did あなた do?”
“Nah man…we can’t talk about it here! They’ll kill me!”
Even from where Skipper was he could see the beads of sweat glistening on Shrimp’s face. “It’s okay! Calm down! No one’s going to kill you! You’re going to be fine!”
“Easy for あなた to say! You’re getting out of here this afternoon! I gotta take four もっと見る days of this!”
Skipper didn’t know what to say to get him to calm down. The boy seemed to be going completely mental in seconds. He started to worry about him. At that moment エビ went back to pointlessly trying to find a way out.
Later on that afternoon, a guard came to escort them back to the cell block. Skipper and Hans immediately went to their cell.
“Alright, so when I was at the infirmary, Eve told me that the team was 安全, 安全です and that they have a plan. Also, she’s using an alias. Susan. She’s posing as a nurse.”
“What do あなた think their planning?”
“I don’t know. I-”
Suddenly a guard came to their cell. “You’ve got mail.” Skipper took the envelop as the guard left.
“Is it from Eve?”
“Yeah.” Skipper 発言しました opening it. He read out loud: “All I can tell あなた in 書く is that your team is safe. After we got back to Block Island, Rico broke out of restraints and (still trying to figure out how on Earth he does that) your team managed to escape with various items in Rico’s magnificent stomach. あなた should be proud of your team. We’ll be talking もっと見る soon.
~Eve.”
“When do あなた think she’ll talk to you?”
Skipper thought for a moment. “When the time is right.”
Later on in the courtyard, Skipper took up a conversation with another inmate that went によって Seal. “So how long have あなた been here?” Skipper asked.
“Goin’ on 26 years now. A friend of mine got me in a hot car. I didn’t know about it. We went driving and got in a wreck. He died, along with the life of a few children passerby’s. Since I was the only survivor of the crash I was sent to prison.”
“Wow. I’m sorry.”
“‘s not your fault.”
“When do あなた get released?”
“In 14 years I can get out on good behavior.”
“Any family?”
“Yeah. A wife and two girls. Haven’t seen them in years. I think their ashamed of me.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“Well, I would. I haven’t seen them in exactly sixteen years, four months, two weeks, and three days.”
“You really miss them don’t you?”
“More than anything. I just hope they’re happy…wherever they are.” Skipper smiled sympathetically. “Well, enough about me. What are あなた in for?”
“Well, nineteen years 前 I-” Just then a guard approached them.
“You’re wanted in the infirmary.” Infirmary. Eve. Skipper got to his feet.
“I’ll tell あなた later.”
“That’s fine. See ya.” Skipper nodded and followed the guard.
Once at the infirmary, Eve signaled him to come with her into an examination room. Skipper obeyed and the door was shut behind him upon entering. Eve immediately embraced him as soon as they were in private. Skipper hugged her tightly back as she said: “I’m so glad you’re alright. Did あなた get my letter?”
“Yeah. I’m glad あなた and my team were able to escape that maniac Alastair.” He pulled away slightly to look her in the eyes. “What about your sister?”
“She’s fine; she’s in a 安全, 安全です place right now. Don’t worry about it.”
“What’s this about a plan?” Eve pushed past him and picked up a clipboard. “Sit down; if anybody comes in here we need to act natural.” Skipper sat down on the examination table.
“I’m listening.”
“Well at the moment we’re only in phase one. We’re scoping out as much as we can of the inside. Finding out ways to escape. But we need your help. We’re not able to get a good layout. We need あなた to find out as much as あなた can about the locations of cameras, guards, exits, and anything else that will help us come up with an escape plan.”
“Alright…but…how are あなた getting around unnoticed?”
“Kowalski is working as a janitor. It wasn’t hard to get Rico in the Psych Ward. He’s doing his part over there. Private’s making sure everything is running smoothly.”
“Wow…talk about an organized rescue team.” Skipper 発言しました chuckling. “So whose idea was this? Kowalski I’m guessing.”
“Actually no. Private. You’ve had quite the influence on him. Kowalski pulled all the strings.”
Skipper was rendered speechless. He was impressed at how well they were doing without his authority. He thought about Private leading the mission and smiled. Like father like son… He thought.
“So what exactly was your excuse to get me up here?” He finally said.
“I told them あなた were a diabetic and needed your insulin shot.” Skipper eyes widened. Eve giggled. “I’m kidding! I told them I wanted to check your stitches, which is something I need to do anyway.” Skipper shifted in his position, slightly embarrassed. Eve approached him and examined his stitches.
“So you’ve done this before?”
“Well when I was working for Alastair あなた can imagine how many times I’ve had to see an open wound または a broken bone. あなた pick up a few things.” She gently cleaned up his wound and ensured his stitches were secure.
“Alright. I should send あなた back now.” Eve said. She turned around to head toward the door, but Skipper took her shoulder as he got to his feet. Eve turned to look at him.
“Is something wrong?” Eve asked looking his eyes. Skipper, hesitant at first, leaned フォワード, 前進, 楽しみにして and kissed her.
When he pulled away he said: “No, I just had to do that one もっと見る time before I left.”
“Seems like that’s how we’ve been leaving every conversation lately.” Eve 発言しました smiling shyly. Skipper smiled back.
“Is that a problem? Because あなた know I can sto-”
“Oh no…no problem.” Skipper chuckled. Eve led him out of the examination room. A guard escorted Skipper back to the cell block.
Skipper met back up with Hans. “Where have あなた been?” He asked.
“I spoke with Eve again. They’ve got everything under control. But we need to get them もっと見る detailed intel on the layout of the prison.”
“Shouldn’t be too hard considering we’ve already started doing that.”
“True, but remember to get a もっと見る precise location 次 time.”
“Alright. So what happened exactly?”
“Rico did most of the work with escaping Alastair. After that Private set everything up. Kowalski is doing his part as a janitor, Rico is scoping out the Psych Ward.”
“Wow…and all that was Private’s idea?”
“Yep. Boys’ growin’ up.” Just then the inmates were called to the cafeteria for lunch.
Once they arrived, Skipper took notice of Snake talking to another inmate. He did not look happy. Skipper couldn’t help but eavesdrop on them. He got a 安全, 安全です distance away and listened carefully as they spoke in hushed whispers.
“…sent him to the hole Snake!”
“I suppose あなた think this is my fault!”
“It’s been two years since his last breakdown! And you’re the one that cause this one!”
“Well if he hadn’t gotten smart with me I wouldn’t of told him!”
“This could ruin everything!”
“Calm down Gator! He’ll be out in three days!”
“Yeah, but what then? They’ll probably send him to the Psych Ward again!”
“Then we’ll just have to straighten him out.”
“It’ll be harder than あなた think. あなた know he’s been going in and out lately.”
“Oh he’ll straighten up if I have to beat it out of him.”
“Lower your voice man! Someone’s gonna hear you!”
From that point on Skipper couldn’t make out what they were saying. Now he was thinking about Shrimp. Breakdown? Why did he have a breakdown? He took notice of シール approaching him. He sat down across from him. “Hey Fish.”
“I’d prefer あなた call me Skipper.”
“Ah, so あなた don’t like your nickname either?”
“Not particularly.”
“I guess I’m just used to calling others によって their nicknames. Snake kind of started the whole deal. And not for the reason あなた might think.”
“Really?”
“‘Says he does it to feel higher than everyone else. That’s only part of the reason. When he first came here he went によって his real name,” He leaned in closer and whispered, “Marion Crinks.”
Skipper nearly choked on his spoon.
“Everyone made fun of him. One 日 he snapped and nearly strangled an inmate. ‘Said he had a squeeze like a ボア constrictor. From then on everyone called him Snake. No one ever messed with him again either. Ever since then he’s been giving everyone nicknames.”
“Well that makes sense.” Skipper said.
“Now I told あなた all about me. What about you? ‘s there a girl in your life?” He asked winking at him.
Skipper looked down shyly. “Well…”
“Come on, everyone’s gonna know every in and out of あなた eventually anyway.”
“Well…there is this one girl…” Skipper admitted.
“I knew it! あなた sly dog…” シール funned. “You serious?”
“Well not really. We just met.”
“Oh. That’s a shame. How did she feel about あなた going to prison?”
“I think she’s accepted it.”
“What’d あなた do anyway? あなた never got to tell me.”
All of the sudden Hans sat down 次 to Skipper. “We need to talk.”
Skipper stood up. “Sorry Seal. I’ll have to tell あなた later.” He followed Hans to the other side of mess hall.
“What’s wrong?”
“I think Manor is getting suspicious of us.”
“What makes あなた think that?”
“Earlier I saw him talking to a couple of guards and ever since that same guard has been following me around.”
“You know I thought a guard was following me around earlier too. Just be careful what あなた say and do.” A movement caught Skipper’s eye. He glanced over to see Snake leaving mess hall. Even though it was normal for inmates to leave during lunch—either to go to the courtyard または cell block—something made Skipper suspicious. Something told him he should be watching his back a lot もっと見る than he had been.
Skipper paced back and forth in the narrow walkway. He’d look out the small window in the door, and he began humming to fill the silence. Hans started to get irritated. “What’s the matter with you? Are あなた having a seizer?” He asked smart-allecky.
“No! It’s just killing me not knowing what’s going on!”
“So in other words you’re starting to go crazy?”
“In a way I guess.”
“Well don’t get your feathers in a twist we’ll be out of here によって tomorrow afternoon.”
“Seems like years away.”
“What did Eve say to you?”
“All she was able to tell me is that my team was 安全, 安全です and not to worry about anything.”
“That’s all?”
“Well we shouldn’t talk about this here either.” He heard Hans sigh.
“Right. I was just making conversation. I’m so bored.”
“Well…we could…talk about something else.”
“Um…okay…can I ask あなた something?”
“What?”
“Do あなた 愛 Eve?”
Skipper darted a look at the drain. “What?”
“Well あなた 発言しました talk about something else.”
“Not about my 愛 life!”
“So あなた do 愛 Eve?”
“It’s none of your business whether I have feelings for her または not!”
Bored, Hans found amusement in taunting him. “Skipper and Eve! Swimmin’ in the sea! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”
“Shut up Hans!”
Hans started laughing like an idiot. Skipper sat down on the floor and leaned against the ウォール crossing his arms. Hans began to breathe again. He sighed. “You know Skipper, there’s nothing wrong with having feelings for someone. I don’t know why あなた hide it.”
“Because of people like you.”
“Touché. Do あなた know when they serve us around here?”
“Well that was a ランダム question.”
“What? I’m hungry!”
“Oh suck it up. They won’t let us starve. They’ll give us something eventually.”
“Well it had better be soon. I’m withering away to nothing here.”
“Well I don’t know about that. I’m sure you’ve got a bit of spare time.”
“Hey!”
Skipper laughed at Hans’s annoyed tone. “Now we’re even.”
“If あなた could see my face right now…you would know that I am not amused.”
“I know. And if あなた could see my face あなた would see me sticking my tongue out at you.”
“Oh very classy…wait a minute…are we actually getting along?”
Skipper’s eyes widened. “If we are then I’m shutting up now.”
“Whatever.”
Skipper didn’t answer back. He went deep in thought again.
A couple もっと見る hours went によって before they were 与えられた something to eat. That’s when they found out that those in the hole would be fed later, and less, as punishment. That night Skipper heard someone approaching outside his door. He went to the small window and looked out.
He watched as a guard passed によって escorting エビ to a hole. As he passed, he looked at Skipper though the window. Skipper eyed him suspiciously. What is he doing here? He thought. He remembered him saying he wasn’t proud of his crime. What did he do that sent him to the hole?
Hans also took notice of the ペンギン who told him about Snake pass によって his hole. He too wondered what he’d done. エビ struck Hans as the type that would get out due to good behavior. Witnessing this changed his mind.
Day 4
Skipper woke up with a tired groan. These cots were worse than the cell beds. It was like sleeping on a rock…with sandpaper. Once again he started pacing, only this time he cut out the humming. He kept thinking about what would happen after he was released from the hole. Then he heard something. He looked out of the little window and looked at the hole across from him. エビ was in there. He looked as though he was about to lose his mind.
From what he could see エビ was standing on 上, ページのトップへ of his cot; he was frantically looking around, as if trying to find a way out. “Psst! こんにちは Shrimp! あなた alright?”
エビ darted his look at his small window, jumped off the cot, and leaned into it. “Nah man! I’m goin’ crazy in the confined space! I gotta get out of here!”
“Now, now, just calm down. How long are あなた supposed to be in here?”
“They told me I was going to be in here for five days! I can’t take a whole week of this!”
“What on Earth did あなた do?”
“Nah man…we can’t talk about it here! They’ll kill me!”
Even from where Skipper was he could see the beads of sweat glistening on Shrimp’s face. “It’s okay! Calm down! No one’s going to kill you! You’re going to be fine!”
“Easy for あなた to say! You’re getting out of here this afternoon! I gotta take four もっと見る days of this!”
Skipper didn’t know what to say to get him to calm down. The boy seemed to be going completely mental in seconds. He started to worry about him. At that moment エビ went back to pointlessly trying to find a way out.
Later on that afternoon, a guard came to escort them back to the cell block. Skipper and Hans immediately went to their cell.
“Alright, so when I was at the infirmary, Eve told me that the team was 安全, 安全です and that they have a plan. Also, she’s using an alias. Susan. She’s posing as a nurse.”
“What do あなた think their planning?”
“I don’t know. I-”
Suddenly a guard came to their cell. “You’ve got mail.” Skipper took the envelop as the guard left.
“Is it from Eve?”
“Yeah.” Skipper 発言しました opening it. He read out loud: “All I can tell あなた in 書く is that your team is safe. After we got back to Block Island, Rico broke out of restraints and (still trying to figure out how on Earth he does that) your team managed to escape with various items in Rico’s magnificent stomach. あなた should be proud of your team. We’ll be talking もっと見る soon.
~Eve.”
“When do あなた think she’ll talk to you?”
Skipper thought for a moment. “When the time is right.”
Later on in the courtyard, Skipper took up a conversation with another inmate that went によって Seal. “So how long have あなた been here?” Skipper asked.
“Goin’ on 26 years now. A friend of mine got me in a hot car. I didn’t know about it. We went driving and got in a wreck. He died, along with the life of a few children passerby’s. Since I was the only survivor of the crash I was sent to prison.”
“Wow. I’m sorry.”
“‘s not your fault.”
“When do あなた get released?”
“In 14 years I can get out on good behavior.”
“Any family?”
“Yeah. A wife and two girls. Haven’t seen them in years. I think their ashamed of me.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“Well, I would. I haven’t seen them in exactly sixteen years, four months, two weeks, and three days.”
“You really miss them don’t you?”
“More than anything. I just hope they’re happy…wherever they are.” Skipper smiled sympathetically. “Well, enough about me. What are あなた in for?”
“Well, nineteen years 前 I-” Just then a guard approached them.
“You’re wanted in the infirmary.” Infirmary. Eve. Skipper got to his feet.
“I’ll tell あなた later.”
“That’s fine. See ya.” Skipper nodded and followed the guard.
Once at the infirmary, Eve signaled him to come with her into an examination room. Skipper obeyed and the door was shut behind him upon entering. Eve immediately embraced him as soon as they were in private. Skipper hugged her tightly back as she said: “I’m so glad you’re alright. Did あなた get my letter?”
“Yeah. I’m glad あなた and my team were able to escape that maniac Alastair.” He pulled away slightly to look her in the eyes. “What about your sister?”
“She’s fine; she’s in a 安全, 安全です place right now. Don’t worry about it.”
“What’s this about a plan?” Eve pushed past him and picked up a clipboard. “Sit down; if anybody comes in here we need to act natural.” Skipper sat down on the examination table.
“I’m listening.”
“Well at the moment we’re only in phase one. We’re scoping out as much as we can of the inside. Finding out ways to escape. But we need your help. We’re not able to get a good layout. We need あなた to find out as much as あなた can about the locations of cameras, guards, exits, and anything else that will help us come up with an escape plan.”
“Alright…but…how are あなた getting around unnoticed?”
“Kowalski is working as a janitor. It wasn’t hard to get Rico in the Psych Ward. He’s doing his part over there. Private’s making sure everything is running smoothly.”
“Wow…talk about an organized rescue team.” Skipper 発言しました chuckling. “So whose idea was this? Kowalski I’m guessing.”
“Actually no. Private. You’ve had quite the influence on him. Kowalski pulled all the strings.”
Skipper was rendered speechless. He was impressed at how well they were doing without his authority. He thought about Private leading the mission and smiled. Like father like son… He thought.
“So what exactly was your excuse to get me up here?” He finally said.
“I told them あなた were a diabetic and needed your insulin shot.” Skipper eyes widened. Eve giggled. “I’m kidding! I told them I wanted to check your stitches, which is something I need to do anyway.” Skipper shifted in his position, slightly embarrassed. Eve approached him and examined his stitches.
“So you’ve done this before?”
“Well when I was working for Alastair あなた can imagine how many times I’ve had to see an open wound または a broken bone. あなた pick up a few things.” She gently cleaned up his wound and ensured his stitches were secure.
“Alright. I should send あなた back now.” Eve said. She turned around to head toward the door, but Skipper took her shoulder as he got to his feet. Eve turned to look at him.
“Is something wrong?” Eve asked looking his eyes. Skipper, hesitant at first, leaned フォワード, 前進, 楽しみにして and kissed her.
When he pulled away he said: “No, I just had to do that one もっと見る time before I left.”
“Seems like that’s how we’ve been leaving every conversation lately.” Eve 発言しました smiling shyly. Skipper smiled back.
“Is that a problem? Because あなた know I can sto-”
“Oh no…no problem.” Skipper chuckled. Eve led him out of the examination room. A guard escorted Skipper back to the cell block.
Skipper met back up with Hans. “Where have あなた been?” He asked.
“I spoke with Eve again. They’ve got everything under control. But we need to get them もっと見る detailed intel on the layout of the prison.”
“Shouldn’t be too hard considering we’ve already started doing that.”
“True, but remember to get a もっと見る precise location 次 time.”
“Alright. So what happened exactly?”
“Rico did most of the work with escaping Alastair. After that Private set everything up. Kowalski is doing his part as a janitor, Rico is scoping out the Psych Ward.”
“Wow…and all that was Private’s idea?”
“Yep. Boys’ growin’ up.” Just then the inmates were called to the cafeteria for lunch.
Once they arrived, Skipper took notice of Snake talking to another inmate. He did not look happy. Skipper couldn’t help but eavesdrop on them. He got a 安全, 安全です distance away and listened carefully as they spoke in hushed whispers.
“…sent him to the hole Snake!”
“I suppose あなた think this is my fault!”
“It’s been two years since his last breakdown! And you’re the one that cause this one!”
“Well if he hadn’t gotten smart with me I wouldn’t of told him!”
“This could ruin everything!”
“Calm down Gator! He’ll be out in three days!”
“Yeah, but what then? They’ll probably send him to the Psych Ward again!”
“Then we’ll just have to straighten him out.”
“It’ll be harder than あなた think. あなた know he’s been going in and out lately.”
“Oh he’ll straighten up if I have to beat it out of him.”
“Lower your voice man! Someone’s gonna hear you!”
From that point on Skipper couldn’t make out what they were saying. Now he was thinking about Shrimp. Breakdown? Why did he have a breakdown? He took notice of シール approaching him. He sat down across from him. “Hey Fish.”
“I’d prefer あなた call me Skipper.”
“Ah, so あなた don’t like your nickname either?”
“Not particularly.”
“I guess I’m just used to calling others によって their nicknames. Snake kind of started the whole deal. And not for the reason あなた might think.”
“Really?”
“‘Says he does it to feel higher than everyone else. That’s only part of the reason. When he first came here he went によって his real name,” He leaned in closer and whispered, “Marion Crinks.”
Skipper nearly choked on his spoon.
“Everyone made fun of him. One 日 he snapped and nearly strangled an inmate. ‘Said he had a squeeze like a ボア constrictor. From then on everyone called him Snake. No one ever messed with him again either. Ever since then he’s been giving everyone nicknames.”
“Well that makes sense.” Skipper said.
“Now I told あなた all about me. What about you? ‘s there a girl in your life?” He asked winking at him.
Skipper looked down shyly. “Well…”
“Come on, everyone’s gonna know every in and out of あなた eventually anyway.”
“Well…there is this one girl…” Skipper admitted.
“I knew it! あなた sly dog…” シール funned. “You serious?”
“Well not really. We just met.”
“Oh. That’s a shame. How did she feel about あなた going to prison?”
“I think she’s accepted it.”
“What’d あなた do anyway? あなた never got to tell me.”
All of the sudden Hans sat down 次 to Skipper. “We need to talk.”
Skipper stood up. “Sorry Seal. I’ll have to tell あなた later.” He followed Hans to the other side of mess hall.
“What’s wrong?”
“I think Manor is getting suspicious of us.”
“What makes あなた think that?”
“Earlier I saw him talking to a couple of guards and ever since that same guard has been following me around.”
“You know I thought a guard was following me around earlier too. Just be careful what あなた say and do.” A movement caught Skipper’s eye. He glanced over to see Snake leaving mess hall. Even though it was normal for inmates to leave during lunch—either to go to the courtyard または cell block—something made Skipper suspicious. Something told him he should be watching his back a lot もっと見る than he had been.
