the earth shook as if something was pounding the ground with a hammer the size of a jumbo jet . then we went swimming , because i could do that without bugging my ankle . carefully , i lift his arm and slide out of bed . `` and will you advise them when your position is about to change ? '' he wasnt as strong as she was , he wasnt as rich as she was , and he wasnt as sophisticated as she was . `` can you tell me as i go along ? '' 