Contents

INTRODUCTION: “SOMETHING WILD . . .”

27 WAGONS FULL OF COTTON

THE PURIFICATION

THE LADY OF LARKSPUR LOTION

THE LAST OF MY SOLID GOLD WATCHES

PORTRAIT OF A MADONNA

AUTO-DA-FÉ

LORD BYRON’S LOVE LETTER

THE STRANGEST KIND OF ROMANCE

THE LONG GOODBYE

HELLO FROM BERTHA

THIS PROPERTY IS CONDEMNED

TALK TO ME LIKE THE RAIN . . .

SOMETHING UNSPOKEN