In the midst of their flirtation, the reader senses counterimaginations at work: the young men sing their evangelical hymns, “I've Got a Friend in Jesus” and “The Old Rugged Cross,” in response to which the young women literally chant the medieval Latin hymn “Tantum Ergo,” written by Aquinas.

The rock star used to be hardcore, but now he's just a sellout.

periodic gaugings of the water level

the uphand sledge