he seems a very good man , but not as bright as i had expected at first . my name is mary and i live here in the tree with your great-something-or-other-grandfather here . it was alan who solved the problem . she sighs , but her shoulders are stiff . we have some things to show you . '' it has been a long road and an interesting one , and i sense that it is approaching its end . she 'd been around him enough to realize he did n't wear that expression all the time . 