How to Live Forever Read Online Free PDF Page B

night, stared right into his heart.
    â€˜Look,’ she said, in a voice grown suddenly soft, ‘do not try to be so old. Only children have open minds and as they change into adults, doors close, shutters are drawn, curtains fall and their vision grows narrow, but you know that. Do not let that happen to you. Be like Archimedes and accept everything. You are thinking all this cannot be happening. Remember that sometimes what is real may seem like a dream and what seems like a dream may be real. You were exploring, the same as you have every day since you could walk, and at last you found me. Yes, yes, you did.
    â€˜You have seen so many wonderful and amazing things hidden away in this place, things that no other living person has seen, nor may ever see, and because you are a child you have taken them all for granted. You have never questioned any of it, how a particular door happened to be where it was, amazing artefacts that cannot be found in any book, maybe not even on this planet or time, and you have accepted it all. So now, accept that you have found me.’
    â€˜But that’s different,’ said Peter. ‘You’re alive. All the other stuff is just things. It just sits there. What about food and stuff like that?’
    â€˜Ah, food,’ said Bathline, her gaze travelling far away. ‘How I miss that, rabbit stew, apple pie, bacon sandwiches. I would give my legs to taste them again, to feel them in my throat, clearing the cobwebs away, to hear them crushing between my teeth. Yes, yes, my legs, for I have no need of them now. Yet I fear it is so long since I have eaten, I may have forgotten how. My insides are full of dust.’
    Then she came back from her daydream and said, ‘Look, you must accept me just as naturally as you would accept finding a book. If you cannot believe in me with all your heart, I cannot help you.’
    â€˜Help me what?’
    The old woman paused.
    â€˜No games, no questions,’ she said. ‘I know all you know. Your father has gone and your grandfather is sick.’
    â€˜But …’ Peter tried to protest. It made him uneasy that this stranger seemed to know his every thought.
    â€˜Do not be afraid,’ said the old woman. ‘I know everything that goes on in this place, not just in your head, but everyone’s. Archimedes brings me news. I know Doctor Eisenmenger lives inside your grandfather’s heart.’
    â€˜Oh,’ said Peter, and then, ‘and my father, do you know where he has gone?’
    Bathline ignored the question, and before Peter could repeat it, she grabbed his hand and with remarkable strength and speed dragged him over to the window. She rummaged in her clothes and finally pulled out a small book which she handed to him. It was very old, bound in soft leather that had been worn smooth by a thousand hands. On the spine in gold were the words:
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    How To Live Forever
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    â€˜Here,’ she said.
    Peter opened the book, but before he could read a single word, the old lady grabbed it back from him and slammed it shut.
    â€˜You must not read it,’ she snapped. ‘I am sorry. I should have told you before I gave it to you. You must take it to the Ancient Child. Yes, yes, that is what you have to do. Take the book to the Ancient Child and every problem will find its answer. There is a secret. I know not what it is, but I know it is there and only the Ancient Child knows it. And remember, above all, above the clouds and sky, tell no one, no one, not even your grandfather. And never read the book.’
    â€˜But –’ Peter protested.
    â€˜Believe me,’ said Bathline, ‘if you read the book yourself you will live forever. Yes, that is right, forever and ever with no amen to end it.’
    â€˜What’s so bad about that?’ Peter asked. The thought of never growing old, never being ill, of living forever, seemed wonderful. Surely anyone would want to do