'Course I doubt
if any one of them could, or would, learn a recitation, even if a
teacher assigned it to them."
"I don't know. I always thought the reason they hadn't been
coming was because of the old feud."
"Lida Belle and Wes weren't mixed up in the feud, were they,
Jodie?"
"No, they weren't old enough. But Old Lady Bailey lived with
them so long and harped on the feud so much, I reckon maybe they
got to thinking they could get tangled up in its aftermath.
Sometimes, you know, old folks can hand down hate and spite
easier than they can pass on a single idea worth a hoot! The old
soul probably raved most about the Christmas Eve her pa's cousin
was murdered in Millers Chapel."
"In Millers Chapel? That's new to me, Jodie. I never heard of
a killing in that old church!"
"Folks quit talking it, it was so bad. I don't know what year
it was, but that final and worst killing was when I was still a
boy. It was on just such a fine Christmas Eve night as this."
Papa took off his heavy jacket and kept talking.
Pages:
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207