They were about a
hundred feet away. The woman and the little girl turned to the sound
of my voice and looked at me. "Please do not pick the poppies," I
pleaded. They pondered this for a minute; then the woman said
something in an undertone to the little girl, and both backs jack-
knifed as the slaughter recommenced. I shouted, but they had become
suddenly deaf. I screamed, and so fiercely that the little girl
wavered dubiously. And while the woman went on picking I could hear
her in low tones heartening the little girl.
I recollected a siren whistle with which I was wont to summon Johnny,
the son of my sister. It was a fearsome thing, of a kind to wake the
dead, and I blew and blew, but the jack-knifed backs never unclasped.
I do not mind with men, but I have never particularly favoured
physical encounters with women; yet this woman, who encouraged a
little girl in iniquity, tempted me.
I went into the bungalow and fetched my rifle. Flourishing it in a
sanguinary manner and scowling fearsomely, I charged upon the
invaders.
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