In 1846 the prairie town of Oak River existed only in a settler's
dream.

In 1846 the prairie town of Oak River existed only in a settler's
dream.

The morning was as dark and cold as city snow could make it--a
dingy whirl at the window; a read more

The morning was as dark and cold as city snow could make it--a
dingy whirl at the window; a smoky gust through the fire-place; a
shadow black as a bear's cave under the table. Nothing in all
the cavernous room, loomed really warm or familiar except a glass
of stale water, and a vapid, half-eaten grape-fruit.

It was a cold winter Sunday afternoon.

It was a cold winter Sunday afternoon.

Early one morning I, Vadim Maslennikov, set off for school (I was
going on seventeen at the time) having read more

Early one morning I, Vadim Maslennikov, set off for school (I was
going on seventeen at the time) having forgotten the envelope
with the first-semester fees Mother had left me in the dining
room the day before.

Obeying an inalienable law, things grew, spreading riotous and
strange in their instinct for growth.

Obeying an inalienable law, things grew, spreading riotous and
strange in their instinct for growth.

The primroses were over.

The primroses were over.

To stretch his legs between consultations, Maclean escorted his
last patient to Baker Street station.

To stretch his legs between consultations, Maclean escorted his
last patient to Baker Street station.

Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of
the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies read more

Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of
the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded
yellow sun.

On the 10th of July 1553, about two hours after noon, a loud
discharge of ordnance burst from the read more

On the 10th of July 1553, about two hours after noon, a loud
discharge of ordnance burst from the turrets of Durham House,
then the residence of the Duke of Northumberland, grandmaster of
the realm, and occupying the site of the modern range of
buildings known as the Adelphi; and at the signal, which was
immediately answered from every point along the river where a
bombard or culverin could be planted-- . . .