Doctor Elton croaked out, "Why, hello there, Ward," and
slapped him on the back like he was glad to see him. Papa grabbed
his arm, Uncle Dan, his coat!
Before I could see what would happen next, Mister Shepherd
pulled me back from the aisle and had me scrooch down under a
bench. Here, I couldn't see a thing but shoes and britches legs
and Captain Jones's walking stick. I couldn't even hear what Papa
and the other men were telling Mister Ward. But I could sure hear
Mister Ward talking-loud, and like his mouth was full of baked
'taters.
"Y'all s'prised to see me, ain't you? What y'all grabbin' me
for? I ain't done nothin'! Charged with kidnappin'? Hell, I just
took the young'un for a automobile ride. Weren't my fault she
jumped out. Anyhow, y'all found her. I come to get Ophelia and my
young'uns. I ain't havin' my baby boy in no Chris'mus doin's with
them damn Baileys. Naw, Doc, don't touch my gun! Where's Wes
Bailey? I brung him a message from Addie Mae. Wes thinks I don't
know where she's at! Doc, Wes is here, ain't he? Somebody tell
Wes to come see my automobile! I bought the first automobile in
Drake Eye Springs! What'd you say, Doc? Hell, yeah, you can ride
on it! I left the motor runnin'.
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