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