Wallace Goode's
mama and her sister got up and moved across the aisle to another
bench so the Lawsons would have plenty of room. Miss Ophelia sort
of bowed and told them, "Much obliged, much obliged," over and
over.
Finally, she got all the young'uns in place and Miss Dink
settled, and she sat down on the front slat of their bench. I
thought she would lean back and start smiling and talking to the
folks around her, the same as everybody else. She didn't. She
just stayed perched there on the edge of that one thin plank like
a scared bird, afraid of having to fly away any minute.
"Bandershanks, turn around!" Mama whispered, "and quit
staring at people. It's impolite."
Papa started talking and worrying about Grandpa Thad.
"Nannie, I do wish Pa had come. He would've enjoyed it."
"I tried to persuade him, Jodie. But 'course he felt like he
had to stay with your ma."
"I reckon so."
"Guess who did come in a few minutes ago?" Now Mama was
talking louder, and like she was happy.
"Who?"
"Lida Belle and Wes Bailey.
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