Jodie said the carpenter Ward's folks got to make
the coffin can't send it till way up in the morning."
On the way home Papa and Mama talked of all the folks who had
come to the Lawson house and of what was said and what was left
unsaid. Mama thought it was a shame none of Ward's folks had sent
for the preacher. Papa thought it was too late for a preacher to
help matters.
Papa wanted to know if Miss Lida Belle had mentioned Addle
Mae. Mama said that woman didn't part her lips about the girl all
day long.
Then Mama told Papa where Miss Lida Belle got the white
shirt. And Papa told Mama about the red fox squirrel the doctor
found in Ward's pocket.
"Poor little squirrel!"
"What makes you say that, Bandershanks?"
"Mama, they threw him to the dogs! And he was so soft and
warm. He was a pretty thing! Wasn't he pretty, Papa?"
"So soft and warm?"
"Yes, sir."
"GREAT JEHOSHAPHAT AND GULLY DIRT! Yeah, he was pretty! But I
didn't know he was still warm! My Lord! Nannie, do you realize
what that means?"
"I sure do! If he wasn't cold yet, somebody stuffed that
squirrel into Ward's coat pocket this morning!"
"Exactly!"
"What's the matter, Papa?"
"Nothing, Bandershanks.
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