You
mustn't let it drive you to distraction. Ah, here's Pa."
Grandpa jammed his hat on the peg next to Papa's and wiped the
back of his hand across his beard. "Whew!"
"'Evening, Pa."
"Mercy me, I thought I'd never get away from Ming tonight!
Jodie, you know how your ma is some days. She lies there in that
bed, thinking up a thousand things for a-body to do. Right at
sundown she took a notion for me to fix all three lamps."
"Yes, sir, Pa. I know. Here, take your chair."
Grandpa eased himself down at the head of the table and
hooked his walking stick on the back of his chair. Mama looked
around the kitchen. She waited a minute for Wiley to slide back
into his place and for Mierd and Irene to get quiet.
"Pa, will you return thanks?"
I wondered why Mama always asked Grandpa if he'd say grace.
We all knew he would-three times a day. He never changed it a
bit. I liked that 'cause I could remember every word.
We bowed our heads and squinted our eyes shut.
Merciful Father, smile on us;
Pardon our many sins;
Make us thankful for these
And all Thy favors,
We ask in the Redeemer's name.
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