And Black Idd told Stray not to be afraid of Papa. I noticed
Papa was talking to Stray the very same way he talked to me any
time he wanted me to be good and not bad.
"I don't aim to scold you a-tall, Stray. Just tell me how
come you to shoot Ned's gun."
"I ain't teched the trigger, Mister Jodie. Pa Ned draps his
gun and hit goes off. I just picks hit up off'n the ground."
"The Lawd be praised! Hear that, Mister Jodie? The chile
didn't kill him! The boy didn't do hit, Mister Jodie! O Lawd God,
is I glad!"
"I'm glad too, Ned. But I don't know how many folks will
believe your gun went off accidentally and killed Ward. I
declare, I don't know what to tell you. It would take the wisdom
of Solomon to straighten the tangle we're fixing to have here in
a few minutes-if I don't think of something quick!"
"Pa Ned, I wants to tell Mister Jodie somethin'. Mister
Jodie, I- Mister Jodie, when we was- Uh, I gets me a new shell,
Mister Jodie, when I see'd-"
Black Idd leaned over and tapped his cane against Stray's
back.
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