If we let that portrait go, we might just as well tear down St. Stephen's Cathedral. It doesn't matter whether the government overpays by $20-million or so, as this embodies the history and the spirit of one of the most important eras of the country.

If we let that portrait go, we might just as well tear down St. Stephan's Cathedral. It doesn't matter whether the government overpays by 20 million or so, as this embodies the history and the spirit of one of the most important eras of the country.

It's a real pity that it didn't work out. But the $300 million were really at the upper end of the price range.

I'm trying not to let it matter. If they wanted to cut it in two, they could. It wouldn't be ethical but it would be legal. It's not mine anymore.

He's really on a tear. He's seeing the ball well, and he's looking for good pitches. It's just a matter of getting more at-bats and doing more situational hitting in practice so we can get ready to play these games.

What's that sound?" Fran said.
Then something as big as a vulture flapped heavily down from one of the trees and landed just in front of the car.It shook itself.It turned its long neck toward the car, raised its head, and regarded us.

"Goddamn it," I said.I sat there with my hands on the wheel and stared at the thing.
"Can you believe it?" Fran said."I never saw a real one before."

We both knew it was a peacock, sure,but we didn't say the word out loud.We just watched it.The bird turned its head up in the air and made this harsh cry again.It had fluffed itself out and looked about twice the size it'd been when it landed.

"Goddamn," I said again. We stayed where we were in the front seat.
The bird moved forward a little.Then it turned its head to the side and braced itself.It kept its bright, wild eye right on us.Its tail was raised, and it was like a big fan folding in and out.
There was every color in the rainbow shining from that tail.

"My God," Fran said quietly.She moved her hand over to my knee.
"Goddamn," I said. There was nothing else to say.

The bird made this strange wailing sound once more. "May- awe, may-awe!" it went.If it'd been something I was hearing late at night and for the first time, I'd have thought it was somebody dying, or else something wild and dangerous.