But none of my dolls liked lemon drops. I had to eat them.
I'd just swallowed the last bite when Wiley came running over
from the schoolhouse. He had to have a brand new writing tablet.
He wanted one with slick paper, but Papa said regular ones were
plenty good for penmanship practice.
I asked Wiley what was penmanship, but he just told me I sure
was stupid. I didn't care. I got Wiley to start bending some
pasteboard strips into chairs and beds for my dolls. He didn't
much want to make them-wouldn't till I begged and begged and said
"please, please, please" so many times he couldn't stand it any
more!
"Wiley, son, you'd better hurry on back across the branch.
It's time for the taking-in bell to ring. Surprises me Mister
Shepherd let you come over here during recess."
"Just a minute, Papa, soon as I fix Bandershanks one more
chair."
Before Wiley could finish the doll chair, Doctor Elton rushed
in through the back door! He didn't even glance at all my nice
catalogue dolls, or me, or Wiley.
"Jodie, things are in a devil of a mess! We've gotta do
something about Ned!
And you!"
"Morning! What are you talking about, Doctor?"
"Jodie, we'd better get that poor nigger away from here! And
I don't know what to advise you to do!"
"What's up? You think Ned-"
"Old Man Hawk's out getting the men together.
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