So we did, but something went wrong almost as soon as I stepped on theice to the wedding march music.I fully expected the audience to laugh like crazy... but the place wassilent.And then Kate started to also act really weird.Instead of the clumsy groom, she started doing a routine we'd used for atake on Romeo and Juliet, but from the male side.And I fell into the routine, doing Juliet.It was beautiful, and passionate and over far too quickly.We stopped, and went to bow, and the place exploded. The cat exploded!I didn't even see where it went. It just flew up in the air, and then Anne tumbled into my lap, the top of her head clipping my cheek. "Ow!" I shouted.She quickly scrambled up, rubbing her scalp, "Oh what? I'm sorry!" Oh no, it's not that." I was staring at my arm. A trio of welts were forming, raising up, blushing, each splitting to bubble up a crimson line."Oh no!" she exclaimed. Before I could react she was holding my hand in hers. She used the index finger of her other hand. The oldest and wisest Hurlon elders gathered in the darkest, deepest parts of the sea, and they slowly cruised the depths, feeding and thinking, linked together in thought. They were perhaps the universe's longest running program of theoretical research. As a pure exercise of mental perceptiveness and sheer, utter wisdom, without benefit of a single machine or tool, with nothing but their own existence to build upon, and utterly lacking in sensitivity to the Light, the Hurlon had long ago. "It's a book! What is it? Why wo'n't you show it to me?" I told you-it's none of your concern." It's a randy book, is'n't it? Who gave it to you? Show it to me, do!" Why should I let you see the blasted thing, anyway?" Beatrice demanded."So I do'n't tell Momma you said 'blasted, '" her sister retorted."Oh, you're incorrigible! Here, take the stupid book." 'Tales of the Beginning, by Ruddy Kipper'" read Maggie aloud.Corky heard the rustle of turning pages."How Gamahuching Was Discovered" Maggie.