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Smith, Jewell Ellen, 1915-1998

"Great Jehoshaphat and Gully Dirt"

You girls scoot on out to
Grandpa's, like I told you! I'll go tell the doctor. Wiley, get
on to the woodpile. I declare to my soul!" Mama hurried back up
the hall, muttering something that sounded like "Demented fool,
climbing in windows-worse-his poor wife home in labor."
Mierd wasn't listening. She had stooped over to tie her
shoelace. "Come on, Bandershanks. Let's skip to Grandpa's
doorsteps! Betcha I can beat you there!"
"Mierd, what's labor?"
"Just another word for work. Come on! Good grannies, you
don't know how to skip worth a hoot!"
"I do, too! Watch me!"
Instead of going on into Grandpa Thad's house, we sat down on
the doorsteps to watch Ned and Little Stray and their
droopy-eared donkey. Stray was still up on the donkey's back. Ned
was standing by him, holding the bridle. Mierd thought Ned must
be waiting to get to talk to the doctor.
Just then we saw Doctor Elton come out, walking as fast as he
could move his stiff, stubby legs. His pants cuffs flapped
against his shoe tops, and Mierd said he reminded her of a pepper
shaker bobbling along.


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