he quickly picked the pieces away with his free hand , laid them out on the sink , and chose the largest of the bunch . her fiery joy at learning about the planet is replaced with something else , something warmer , like a slow-burning but steady flame . not only was the road flooded at one point-we could n't go any farther north-but there were two cars nearly covered in water ahead of us . she stood and picked up her portfolio . shade took advantage of it by using his great sense of smell . 