Part 33 (2/2)
”You sure recited a nice little piece, hon,” Miss Lida Belle told me as I squeezed my way between her thick knees and the bench behind me. She didn't drop any money in the hat, but as soon as she turned her head the other way, Mister Wes slipped in a whole silver dollar!
Leaning over close to me, he whispered, ”Little lady, you see the pretty blue tie up yonder on the tree?”
”Yes, sir.”
”I bet you, if you ask her, Miss Vic will fasten that fine tie on you and let you take it straight to the schoolteacher!”
Aunt Vic stopped calling out names long enough to pin the tie on my shoulder.
”Hurry right back, hon,” she told me. ”There are more presents for you to take.”
”Where's Mister Shepherd at?”
”Right over yonder by the side door. Doctor Elton just got here, and he's talking to him and Captain Jones.”
”I see him!”
By weaving my way in and out between people I got through to Mister Shepherd. I stopped and stood-straight as any tree-right in front of him. But he wouldn't quit listening to Doctor Elton and look down at me.
Doctor Elton wouldn't quit talking, either. He was so hoa.r.s.e he could hardly speak. Every word was just a croak. Doctor Elton smelled of medicine worse than ever tonight. He kept on croaking and frowning and chewing the stuffing out of his cigar b.u.t.t.
”Shepherd, the rascal has been hiding out down in Louisiana all this time! I wasn't surprised to hear it, 'cause I never did think he drowned. But I can't figure out how he bought a automobile! I'll ease up front and tell Jodie. But let's keep it quiet. No need to disrupt things and get the womenfolks and children in a panic.”
While Doctor Elton was trying to get over to the center aisle, Old Man Hawk walked up and began asking him about the influenza ep-i-something-or-other down below State Line Road. The schoolteacher still hadn't seen me. He moved over and sat down beside Captain Jones.
I tapped on one of his legs. ”Mister Shepherd! Mister Shepherd! Here's a present!”
”Why, h.e.l.lo, Little Tree!”
”It's for you!”
”My, how pretty! But it couldn't be for me. Let me see whose name's on the tag.”
Just as Mister Shepherd leaned over to look at the slip of paper pinned to the tie, we heard a big rumbling and rattling -right outside the window. Then came a loud honking. I'd never heard such a horn before! Mister Shepherd jerked up his head, got to his feet, and turned around to Doctor Elton and Mister Hawk.
”Doc, you don't suppose that's-”
”It's him! Come to show off! A few of us men had better get out there. Shepherd, get word to the others. I'll go on.” Doctor Elton b.u.mped against me.
”Green Tree Gal, step over a little so I can get through here!”
”Y'all lem'me get out too!” Mister Hawk was right behind the doctor. ”I gotta go see 'bout my mule!”
When Mister Hawk saw there were so many people between him and the side door, he headed to the nearest window, raised it, and eased himself through.
Doctor Elton hurried on around me, but before he could get to the door, Papa came elbowing his way down the aisle, Uncle Dan right behind him.
”We'd better see who's out yonder, don't you think, Doctor Elton?” Papa was talking low, fast.
”I know who 'tis, Jodie! It's Ward!”
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