"'Please, sir, mother did it. She told me so.'
"'But you knew the rules,' said the good Lord God.
"Bella hung her head again. She knew them quite well.
"'And the rules must be obeyed,' He said.
"Bella began to tremble.
"There was a moment's silence. The two angels stood like statues, still leaning on their swords. Then the good Lord God spoke again.
"'Look at Me,' He said.
"Bella lifted her eyes and saw the World without End. He gave her back the apple.
"'Well, you may keep it,' He went on, 'on condition that you give half of it to Bobby Gee.'
"Bella said, 'Thank you, sir.'