"
"Who you gonna go see?"
"Nobody that you know. Come on, let's get you ready."
"Mama, lem'me stay here and play with Shoogie."
"No, no. You've got to be with me or Papa one all the time
now."
"'Cause Mister Ward wants to shoot me?"
"Bandershanks, just hush about that! We're not gonna talk
about it any more!"
After dinner, Papa and I rode Jake back to the store. "Papa,
my bonnet's choking me! It won't come undone!"
"I'll untie it for you soon as I hitch Jake. Where'd you get
that fancy bonnet, anyhow?"
"Grandma Ming made it."
"It's so blessed hot this evening I think I need a sun
bonnet! I know Jake ought'a have one! Look how he's sweating!"
"Do horses wear bonnets?"
"I was just talking. Now, here we are. Jake, boy, I'm gonna
put you on the East Side of the store, and in about an hour
you'll have yourself a good shade."
As soon as Papa had looped Jake's bridle over the hitching
rail, he lifted me straight from the saddle to the store porch,
without my feet even touching the ground.
"Lemme see if I can help you with that bonnet, Bandershanks.
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