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The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

She pulled away from his insistent kisses. “I wish to take my time with you, my lord. Not in haste, but in leisure.” Stretching up to his ear, she murmured, “This is my demand for your long absence. I’ll not be taken like the wenches you tumble in alehouse and hayloft, but as the lady you treasure.” Summer slipped out of his arms deftly, leaving only her fingertips in his. “Do those pretty words mean anything, my lord? I’ll have you prove it so.” Very deliberately, she lowered her eyelashes, looking up at him through them. “Come, are there yet no pillows we might lie on, since you have returned?”

“Oh love, believe me I want to take my sweet time with you as well…” He pulled her close once more, raising her chin with his hand to face him. “I do not take wenches in alehouses pushed against the wall, and I took no one since I met you. I want no other but you.” He placed a light kiss on her lips. “Come, darling Summer.” He held her hand firmly. Leaving the room, the squire still stood there, waiting. “Tell the sirs not to wait for us, we shall catch up if we wish to,” he told him and the squire was gone. He said nothing to her all the way up the stairs but held her hand firm, walking down the corridor as he led her into his chamber.

He opened the door and let her in, closing the door behind them. The house was empty and silent, the loud riders making their way out on the other side. They were in what appeared to be a sitting room, with benches, table and pillows on the floor by the window to lay on, bookshelves and even a harp though Humphrey regarded himself rubbish at playing it and thus never did. The walls were covered by silk tapestries and the windows adorned with rich velvet curtains, as they offered the view of the river. One of the walls had a large two sided door now open to his bedchamber, his bed all made and covered with blankets and pillows. “As you see, pillows I have plenty,” he whispered in her ear, as he placed arms around her waist and pulled her close to himself from behind while she stood looking around. “I have none to share them with unless you share them with me, for I will not share with any other.”

“Mmm, I like this much better indeed.” Summer leaned back into his hold, into the warmth of his body. “It must be so hard for you, to wait for a lady to succumb to the persuasion of your mouth and tongue. Denying yourself even the slightest pleasure but holding out only for her … ” She laughed, low in her throat, and linked her fingers in with his hands around her body, drawing them upward over her stomach and to her breasts.

“What wilt thee, now that my wish is so near to fulfilled, love? Shalt kiss me breathless til I swoon, as did downstairs? Shalt give thyself over to my hands for pleasure?” A half-turn of hips let her reach up to draw light fingertips down his throat, a sly smile curving her lips. “Sweet lord, if thou sought a maid, thine arrow has missed the mark.”

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The moment Humphrey’s tongue touched the hollow behind her ear, her head rolled back, eyes sliding closed. Luck, it must have been, to lead him to that spot that rendered her boneless so easily. “Oh, Humphrey,” she moaned helplessly, drawn out when his hand found her breast. As he progressed farther, Summer was forced to link her arms around his neck simply to stay upright, and her breathing became increasingly shallow.

“Beloved,” she whispered, exerting as much control as she could under the circumstances, “I shall fall … “

The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

“Perhaps then you would do well to let me speak, my lord?” Summer teased. She caught his hand, pressing a kiss into his palm. “I spent my days mostly reading, though my brother coaxed me out to practise archery while the weather was fine. Your books were so welcome, for I feared I’d go mad thinking of you.” She looked up at him, biting her lip.

“I feared my memories deceived me,” she whispered. “How could a man like you see so much in me? You, my lord, are brother to the King. Your words fall sweet on my ears now.”

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“My lord,” Summer gasped, drowning in his kisses, “Humphrey, stop, please stop.” She couldn’t stop herself kissing him back, pressing close to him, body yearning into his arms. “Humphrey, slow down.” It wasn’t that she didn’t want him, in the least, but being ravished up against a wall with haste was not her idea of a good time. She wanted the luxury of exploration, to tease and play and experiment.

The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

Two weeks had seen but little change in the routine of Summer’s life. Her sister had returned to her husband’s manor, her other brother Alfred had come up from Kent, and she’d read ‘Il Canzoniere’ through several times. She grew ill-at-ease, beginning to doubt her memories and herself, and would often take out the necklace and slide it through her fingers. Even archery barely soothed her mind.

When finally the Duke returned and sent for her, she struggled to contain herself before the servants. She near drove her maid to distraction fretting over little details, and only managed to relax when she was at last ahorse, quiver slung to one side, gifted books in a saddlebag to the other, and Humphrey’s gorgeous velvet gift about her shoulders.

Finally she arrived at the house, and Humphrey himself welcomed her, helping her off the horse. “I believe you only became more beautiful my love,” he said and confirmed with a kiss, for all to see. Here in his household, he had no troubles of gossip to worry about. “I have another present for you, for today you shall need her,” he said when the squire escorted the little grey spaniel. “She is named Silver I was told. She is fairly young and inexperienced in the hunting affairs…do you hunt, my beloved?”

His household prepared half a dozen more dogs, along with arrows bows and spears, bags and food and flasks of wine, his squires and knights busying themselves around them as they talked. “I must apologise to you, my lady Summer,” Humphrey said. “My visit took longer than intended… I hope you decided what you ask from me for the wait. It shall be yours as I promised…”

“My lord, what I wish of you I dare not say.” Summer held his hands, smiling up at him. “I would not have you think ill of me. Only hold me, for I have sore missed your touch, and tell me of your journey.”

“If you dare not to tell me I am all the more inclined to hear it,” he grinned. “Mayhap I shall change the plans for the day and just remain in the house on some pillow holding and kissing you.” With that he turned and his arm still around her waist, he moved towards the house.

“Welcome in Bellacourt, as I call this place. Bella, as it is everything that is beautiful for me – or more so, it was before I met you… I hope you ceased walks on the empty streets after dark.” He offered her a chalice from the plate that a servant held out to him, and took one for himself. The servant took the rest to his knights to offer refreshments.

“There is but little to say. It was raining constantly… I wished to be able to close myself into the castle and sit by the fire. I went as my presence was required by the sherrif, apparently the gaols of Pembroke become full of thieves and other misdoers so quickly. I took one of my brother’s judges with me, and sat at court all day listening to their trials and wrongdoings and arguments. Not an activity I would recommend my love. Especially after they are found guilty. I doubt I saw as many hangings and arm choppings as in the past two weeks. The only good was seeing a few friends there, the mayor is one of them and he took me to this rather pleasant feast one evening… but mostly I kept to myself and my books, which reminds me…” he touched the material of her coat, “I am glad you had this finished on time. Hope the master was treating you well, and that he charged you nothing! I have sent him the payment for this.”

“This colour suits you, I knew it,” he said, “I could go on chatting but tell me my dearest, what were you occupied with while I was gone? How you spent your days? I confess you were much on my mind, Summer, and I found I know but little about you… about your likes and dislikes and all your past, and I wish to learn everything about you,” he said, caressing her cheek with his fingers, “I wish to know the lady who caught me so unguarded… like in the poem of Petrarch, love found me unguarded… So tell I hope to spend the day listening to you, and learning how the lady is who has my heart in the palm of her hands…”

“Perhaps then you would do well to let me speak, my lord?” Summer teased. She caught his hand, pressing a kiss into his palm. “I spent my days mostly reading, though my brother coaxed me out to practise archery while the weather was fine. Your books were so welcome, for I feared I’d go mad thinking of you.” She looked up at him, biting her lip.

“I feared my memories deceived me,” she whispered. “How could a man like you see so much in me? You, my lord, are brother to the King. Your words fall sweet on my ears now.”

The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

With trembling hands, Summer hastily penned a note in reply.

Dearest of loves, you are far too kind to me. I shall treasure these, though they do not substitute for your presence. Please hurry back, for the hours grow long and my heart yearns for you. ~S.

She thrust it at the squire, bidding the boy put it in Humphrey’s hand and no other. “Tell your lord my delight is bounded only by his absence.” She yearned to quiz him on how Humphrey looked, but sternly forbade herself that indulgence, a little frightened by the sudden strength of her own feelings. Seduced by books of poetry!

A long conversation over breakfast with her father followed, and at the last he said, patting her hand, “‘Tis strange of me, I know, but I would have you happy above all else, daughter. Go with caution, but not fear; I’ll stand with you. If I know aught ill of Gloucester, ‘tis that he plays with maidens’ hearts, yet he’s wise enough to woo you with books.”

Two more weeks had passed until Humphrey arrived back to London, and the weather also turned sour with the constant English rain. Humphrey indeed caught a cold himself yet he didn’t consider it a serious matter. He prepared for hunt in Greenwich park and he intended to spend it in the most pleasant company.

He sent the Lady Rainault his steward, with the invitation, and had a little gift waiting for her. A spaniel, for every lady needs a companion on a hunt, and that is indeed what he planned to do the next day. He didn’t plan much, he intended to stay in the woods of Greenwich Park and have a picnic. He was eager for her to arrive, to spend the day with her alone and to have her for himself.

Two weeks had seen but little change in the routine of Summer’s life. Her sister had returned to her husband’s manor, her other brother Alfred had come up from Kent, and she’d read ‘Il Canzoniere’ through several times. She grew ill-at-ease, beginning to doubt her memories and herself, and would often take out the necklace and slide it through her fingers. Even archery barely soothed her mind.

When finally the Duke returned and sent for her, she struggled to contain herself before the servants. She near drove her maid to distraction fretting over little details, and only managed to relax when she was at last ahorse, quiver slung to one side, gifted books in a saddlebag to the other, and Humphrey’s gorgeous velvet gift about her shoulders.

Finally she arrived at the house, and Humphrey himself welcomed her, helping her off the horse. “I believe you only became more beautiful my love,” he said and confirmed with a kiss, for all to see. Here in his household, he had no troubles of gossip to worry about. “I have another present for you, for today you shall need her,” he said when the squire escorted the little grey spaniel. “She is named Silver I was told. She is fairly young and inexperienced in the hunting affairs…do you hunt, my beloved?”

His household prepared half a dozen more dogs, along with arrows bows and spears, bags and food and flasks of wine, his squires and knights busying themselves around them as they talked. “I must apologise to you, my lady Summer,” Humphrey said. “My visit took longer than intended… I hope you decided what you ask from me for the wait. It shall be yours as I promised…”

“My lord, what I wish of you I dare not say.” Summer held his hands, smiling up at him. “I would not have you think ill of me. Only hold me, for I have sore missed your touch, and tell me of your journey.”

The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

With trembling hands, Summer hastily penned a note in reply.

Dearest of loves, you are far too kind to me. I shall treasure these, though they do not substitute for your presence. Please hurry back, for the hours grow long and my heart yearns for you. ~S.

She thrust it at the squire, bidding the boy put it in Humphrey’s hand and no other. “Tell your lord my delight is bounded only by his absence.” She yearned to quiz him on how Humphrey looked, but sternly forbade herself that indulgence, a little frightened by the sudden strength of her own feelings. Seduced by books of poetry!

A long conversation over breakfast with her father followed, and at the last he said, patting her hand, “‘Tis strange of me, I know, but I would have you happy above all else, daughter. Go with caution, but not fear; I’ll stand with you. If I know aught ill of Gloucester, ‘tis that he plays with maidens’ hearts, yet he’s wise enough to woo you with books.”

Two more weeks had passed until Humphrey arrived back to London, and the weather also turned sour with the constant English rain. Humphrey indeed caught a cold himself yet he didn’t consider it a serious matter. He prepared for hunt in Greenwich park and he intended to spend it in the most pleasant company.

He sent the Lady Rainault his steward, with the invitation, and had a little gift waiting for her. A spaniel, for every lady needs a companion on a hunt, and that is indeed what he planned to do the next day. He didn’t plan much, he intended to stay in the woods of Greenwich Park and have a picnic. He was eager for her to arrive, to spend the day with her alone and to have her for himself.

Two weeks had seen but little change in the routine of Summer’s life. Her sister had returned to her husband’s manor, her other brother Alfred had come up from Kent, and she’d read ‘Il Canzoniere‘ through several times. She grew ill-at-ease, beginning to doubt her memories and herself, and would often take out the necklace and slide it through her fingers. Even archery barely soothed her mind.

When finally the Duke returned and sent for her, she struggled to contain herself before the servants. She near drove her maid to distraction fretting over little details, and only managed to relax when she was at last ahorse, quiver slung to one side, gifted books in a saddlebag to the other, and Humphrey’s gorgeous velvet gift about her shoulders.

The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

Summer gave him a soft smile, cheeks flushed. “‘Tis simple, my lord. Who would question thou and I encountering one another in the library? Or writing to one another of texts modern and ancient? Or ever thou canst escape council, I’ll meet thee in the gardens. Now kiss me again, to stave off thy starvation.”

Humphrey gladly obliged, again and again, his fingers playing with her fiery hair, hand traveling up and down her spine. “We shall stop this,” he whispered between kisses, and kisses between the words, “for I want you too much to go back and if we continue, I know not what I shall do…” yet he kissed her again, and kissed her cheek and her neck, to give meaning to his words. “I leave on the morrow for a few days, to Pembroke, on my personal business…” he whispered, “Will you wait? I shall send for you upon my return to meet…” he looked into her eyes, “My work with your father’s council is done, so I shall have all the time we desire to spend as we see most fit…”

“Don’t stop, my lord, don’t stop,” she whispered back, trading him kiss for kiss. “Don’t stop, don’t leave me so soon. I would I could go with you, but you wish we remain secret and I must abide by your wishes.”

“Oh but you see love, if I take you, everyone will take you for a mistress of low morals that I amuse myself with…” he whispered, covered in her kisses. “I allow naught like it to happen… but then, ‘tis so hard to think I leave you, my love…”

He suddenly departed from her, stepping back, holding her hands. “Hark now sweetling, we must part…” he smiled at her, with love and adoration in his eyes. “I need to go, and when I am back I assure you that you will know of it…” and with that he pulled her close and held her, “I ask you to think of what you wish from me for your long hours of waiting and you shall have it upon return.” With that he offered his arm to lead back to the hall. “We must part, before they notice, and… I shall say that necklace becomes you my love.” A slight kiss on the back of her hand, and he was gone.

She missed him. She hadn’t expected that. They had met but thrice, yet even setting aside his sincere declarations of love, the thrill of finding someone of her own mind on poetry would incline her heart to him. She took his gift off before leaving the fete, holding it up to the torchlight. So costly a gift. She’d nothing like it to offer in return.

Save her words, she supposed. So Summer wrote him a letter.

Dear my lord Humphrey, she wrote, I would I could say the hours until your return pass by swiftly for my eagerness, yet this is not so. Unaccountably I miss you. Without even your presence within her, London seems drab and empty. Instead, I have sought out Petrarch, as you recommended, and I find him enjoyable reading, yet I would discuss his writings with you to further my understanding.

It is in my heart also to set your mind at ease regarding certain things. You see, I am my father’s favourite, saving only my brother Edward his heir, and thus I have some leave to do as I like. My sister, born at the same lying-in as I, is already married, and well, too; and my father is not so ambitious as some lords. He has given me oath I may not marry against my will, but may have the choice and the freedom to court and be courted.

I fear I cannot make myself as clear as I would like, for this letter may be picked up by those who mean you mischief. Suffice it to say, my lord, I would not have secrecy with you, but see you openly and with a glad heart. My reputation is of no moment, though I thank you greatly for your care of it; indeed I do think my learning has already sullied me in some eyes.

I await your return with impatience, and wish only to be sheltered by your arms again.

with love, Summer Rainault

It took a little connivance, but she had it smuggled into his rooms, sealed with red wax and the impress of a flame, to await him.

The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

Summer gave him a soft smile, cheeks flushed. “‘Tis simple, my lord. Who would question thou and I encountering one another in the library? Or writing to one another of texts modern and ancient? Or ever thou canst escape council, I’ll meet thee in the gardens. Now kiss me again, to stave off thy starvation.”

Humphrey gladly obliged, again and again, his fingers playing with her fiery hair, hand traveling up and down her spine. “We shall stop this,” he whispered between kisses, and kisses between the words, “for I want you too much to go back and if we continue, I know not what I shall do…” yet he kissed her again, and kissed her cheek and her neck, to give meaning to his words. “I leave on the morrow for a few days, to Pembroke, on my personal business…” he whispered, “Will you wait? I shall send for you upon my return to meet…” he looked into her eyes, “My work with your father’s council is done, so I shall have all the time we desire to spend as we see most fit…”

“Don’t stop, my lord, don’t stop,” she whispered back, trading him kiss for kiss. “Don’t stop, don’t leave me so soon. I would I could go with you, but you wish we remain secret and I must abide by your wishes.”

The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

dukehumphrey:

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“Anything, my lord. I place myself entirely in your hands.” She let him lead her to the balcony, neatly side-stepping drunks and dogs. Once there, she drew away, clasping both hands on the railing and gazing upward. The night was clear and warm and the sky blossomed with the light of a million stars.

“Is not God’s work beautiful to behold?” she asked softly at last, turning to look at Humphrey.

“I am certain God’s most beautiful work is not up in the sky, for it is you, my lady…” Humphrey said, stepping to her. “May I?” he asked as he touched her neck with a finger, his other hand drawing a leather poach from his pocket. “This is something I had made for you, and I had some other occasion in mind to give you… yet I saw you tonight and I thought, it is exactly what you shall wear along with your dress.” He took from the pouch the necklace of rubies and pearls. “I hope you like rubies. I thought they suit you… well I hope you like the gift,” and with that, he placed the necklace on her neck and clipped it behind her head, the motion inevitably drawing him close. His hand traveled down to her waist as he held her for a long moment. “I wish not to start any talk,” he whispered, “I restrained myself all night so no gossip goes around, but you shall know that my heart is yours still… that I want none but you.” He raised her cheek to face her, and looked into her eyes when saying it. “I wish I have been as chaste as my brother the king, for then I had no gossip around me and I could dance the night away with you. I want no talk and no damage to your honour, my love. So tell me, what to do. And first of all, tell me if you would have me.”

“Your Grace,” Summer whispered. It felt as though everything around them simply faded away, leaving only the two of them, on the balcony in the starlight, looking at one another. His gift weighed around her throat, the metal warming to her skin. Her pulse pounded in her ears. Dared she believe him? “Wilt have my heart in trade for thine? I fear thou hast stolen it all the same. Yes, I’ll have thee, with gladness.”

Humphrey smiled at her submission, the confirmation that he was right. He knew that she wasn’t the kind who would take just anyone, and he even dared to believe that she didn’t take him just because he was a royal duke. He looked around, but besides two drunken lordlings quarrelling and a couple lost in kissing and more in the corner, the balcony was empty. Thus he leaned down and kissed her, gently touching his lips to hers, and when her lips parted he deepened the kiss passionately with tongues teasing as they danced. He held her close, feeling her arms on his neck, not wanting to part even when breathing became a necessity.

“Your lips truly taste like summerwine…” he whispered to her, smiling. “I would gladly be sickened with drunkenness from it. So tell me, my lady, when can I see you? And how? I need to know to be able to endure more dancing with my aunts… and their ladies-in-waiting with their offerings. I need to know how long I am to starve…”

Summer gave him a soft smile, cheeks flushed. “‘Tis simple, my lord. Who would question thou and I encountering one another in the library? Or writing to one another of texts modern and ancient? Or ever thou canst escape council, I’ll meet thee in the gardens. Now kiss me again, to stave off thy starvation.”

The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

Summer watched Humphrey, laughing to herself. He circled round her like a hunter, but refused to move in for the kill. Was he hoping to make her jealous by giving attentions to other ladies? There was time and enough time for jealousy later, when she tasted the direction of his intent. Would once be all he sought, or would he try for a longer association?

She refused all invitations to dance, preferring to recite and discuss the Commedia with a like-minded lady-in-waiting of the Queen’s. Humphrey was waiting for some cue, she could tell. If it was some act of hers, he’d be waiting long, for she was minded to make him seek her out. Still, when their gazes crossed, Summer allowed him a welcoming smile.

The King departed and Humphrey sat at the high table for a while, observing the merry lot. They no longer paid respect to high lords – a sign he hoped to see before he approaches Summer. He wished it to be almost unrecognised by the drunk lords and ladies of the court. He had a reputation and was well aware of it, he wished to keep the lady out of it.

He took his chalice, and quickly checked his packet, the little leather pouch that his squire brought to him was still there. He slowly made way, bowing to ladies, stopping whenever someone said a “God Bless thee Duke Humphrey,” or a “Good eventide, my lord”, a drunken “Tis the most splendid of parties, Lord Humphrey” – he took time for all of them, making sure that no one would complain how the Duke turned away from the guests of the crown.

Finally, he arrived where she sat, the lady-in-waiting talking to her blushed immediately as he bowed his head to her. “Ladies…” he said cheerfully, “I keep wondering why the two of you would be left sitting, tis surely the waste of the most comely summer flowers by my fellow lords not taking you to dance…”

“Surely they have tried, your grace, yet none have been so appealing as to draw me away from my love of the lyric word. And you forget, distracted by your brothers no doubt, I am not so well-known here as you,” Summer laughed up at him. “What will you of us? I do not think you can dance with the both of us, for I will not share, nor Isobel either.” The two women exchanged a smiling glance, then turned bright eyes on the Duke.

“See ladies…” he said while he sat down, “tis why I thought to ask, since I would take it on me to ensure you enjoy the hospitality of the crown, yet…” he glanced towards the Queen, still at the high table, “I believe my beloved stepmother is about to leave, lady Isobel. Which,” he turned to Summer, “saves me from the awful situation of having to choose. As I believe my heart is promised to but one, thus I could not choose the other.” Indeed, Queen Joan stood from the table, Isobel had to go. “My beloved,” Humphrey said, placing a kiss on the back of Summer’s hand, “may I talk to you in private? Perhaps take some fresh air on the balcony?”

“Anything, my lord. I place myself entirely in your hands.” She let him lead her to the balcony, neatly side-stepping drunks and dogs. Once there, she drew away, clasping both hands on the railing and gazing upward. The night was clear and warm and the sky blossomed with the light of a million stars.

“Is not God’s work beautiful to behold?” she asked softly at last, turning to look at Humphrey.

The Three Fountains

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

“Must you depart so soon?” Summer blurted. She blushed, ducking her head, and tried to cover her confusion with another bit of Dante. “‘In that book which is My memory… On the first page That is the chapter when I first met you Appear the words… Here begins a new life.’” Delicately she slipped her hand from his. “Ah, but I am remiss; I have no right claim on your time. Yours is the business of governance.” She smiled up at him, glad to at last have found someone who shared the joys of reading and poetry with her.

“A word to my father will always find me, your grace. I’ll depart with this: ‘Bocca baciata non perde ventura, anzi rinnuova come fa la luna,’ and perhaps you can say it to me in English if we meet again,” she teased, then caught up her skirts for a quick curtsey.

Humphrey had to laugh at the suggestion. Gazing around, they were still alone in the garden. He held her hand close to his chest that pulled her closer, and looked in her eyes. “My Lady shall be mocking me…” he said, “for the message I shall send your father is but the worst messenger, he would sooner ask me to meet him in a single combat for your honor if indeed he is as good a father as he is a speaker. For my messages, they shall not be known by fathers.”

With that, he placed a kiss on her fingers. “So if the mouth that has been kissed loses not its favour, but renews it with the cycle of the moon…” he looked at her, “Tell me, sweet Summer, what happens to mouths that have not been kissed? For it seems to me that you shall let me depart without a kiss on mine, and I know not what would happen to my favour then? A lady so learned as you, shall not be so cruel, or am I wrong?”

“My lord! Certain I was you said you did not speak Italian well! I shall have to set you a harder puzzle, then, methinks.” Summer laughed with him, though a faint blush crept up her cheeks. “What will you have in trade for my kisses, my lord? I shall sell them dearly, you must know, as I have been taught. Or perhaps,” she murmured, gazing at him challengingly, “you are a thief, and steal them away. Art a thief, my lord? Thou has captured mine hand very neatly.”