But he wouldn't quit listening to Doctor Elton
and look down at me.
Doctor Elton wouldn't quit talking, either. He was so hoarse
he could hardly speak. Every word was just a croak. Doctor Elton
smelled of medicine worse than ever tonight. He kept on croaking
and frowning and chewing the stuffing out of his cigar butt.
"Shepherd, the rascal has been hiding out down in Louisiana
all this time! I wasn't surprised to hear it, 'cause I never did
think he drowned. But I can't figure out how he bought a
automobile! I'll ease up front and tell Jodie. But let's keep it
quiet. No need to disrupt things and get the womenfolks and
children in a panic."
While Doctor Elton was trying to get over to the center
aisle, Old Man Hawk walked up and began asking him about the
influenza ep-i-something-or-other down below State Line Road. The
schoolteacher still hadn't seen me. He moved over and sat down
beside Captain Jones.
I tapped on one of his legs. "Mister Shepherd! Mister
Shepherd! Here's a present!"
"Why, hello, Little Tree!"
"It's for you!"
"My, how pretty! But it couldn't be for me.
Pages:
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224