The women all looked at Mister Ward and
cried. The men bit their lips together tight and didn't make a
sound.
I wanted to go home.
I went back outside, looking for Papa. When I couldn't find
him, I ran into the kitchen, where Mama and Aunt Vic were getting
food warmed up for the kinfolks who had just come. Aunt Vic said
that they lived far away and were bound to be tired and hungry.
"Mama, I wanta go home."
"We'll be going now in just a little while."
The sun was down to the pickets of Miss Ophelia's garden
fence when we finally did put on our cloaks to leave. Papa got
some boy with Mister Goode to ride Jake home so he could go with
Mama and me in the buggy. Aunt Vic followed us to the door.
"Vic, me and Jodie will be back over here around midnight to
sit up till day. Then you and Lovie and Dan and some of the
others can get some rest."
"I won't mind staying up all night, Nannie. Somebody's got to
keep coffee boiled."
"I know, but there's no need for so many to sit up. And the
way things have turned out, we may be here helping most of the
day tomorrow.
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