Part 23 (2/2)
”Down yonder side o' the road.”
”Mama won't lem'me play at the road no more.”
”We ain't gonna be on the road. We'll be in that gully where there's sand. See, iffen we get a pile o' sand hot, our goobers'll cook quick. Come on, Bandershanks!”
Shoogie gathered up leaves and sticks and struck match after match, but she couldn't get a fire going.
”We needs us some pine straw, that's what. Come on, Bandershanks, there's plenty right down yonder round the bend.
See them big trees?”
We hurried down the hill toward the pine thicket, following the road and the winding gully. After we had rounded the bend, we slid down into the gully and walked along the bottom till we got to the first of the pine trees. Straw was lying matted on the ground, thick and deep. Easy to rake together in big wads, Shoogie said.
She showed me how to hold my skirt out with both hands so she could pile on a big armful of the dried straw. Then she heaped up a bundle in her skirt, and we started back to our sticks and peanuts.
Shoogie was walking in front, and I was being careful to step in her tracks.
”Bandershanks, what's that roarin' racket I hears?”
”I don't hear no roaring. Yeah, I do too! I hear it! That's a automobile motor coming, Shoogie!”
We dropped our straw and ran to the edge of the road.
”If you don't know what a motor sounds like, you're a silly goose! Wiley said so!”
”Bandershanks, you knows I ain't no goose!”
”Ain't you seen one of them automobiles yet?”
”No.”
”I have! My brother rode one! Shoogie, here it comes!”
Shoogie didn't say anything.
”That's the same one Wiley rode!”
”Who's that man makin' hit go?” Shoogie whispered.
”It's- It's- It's Mister Ward! We'd better run!”
”Not yet! He's lettin' hit go slow so's we can see hit.”
Mister Ward made the automobile come to a stop right in front of us, but he didn't make it be quiet or quit rattling and shaking.
He was grinning as he got out. His red, bushy hair was hanging down nearly to his eyes.
”How'd you little gals like to ride in Mister Hicks's automobile?”
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