Chapter 5

           WhenIwalkedupElmStreetandturnedinatthewalkofburiedballaststones,Istoppedandlookedattheoldplace.Itfeltdifferent.Itfeltmine.NotMary’s,notFather’s,notoldCap’n’s,butmine.Icouldsellitorburnitorkeepit.

           I’dtakenonlytwoofthebackstepswhenthescreendoorwhappedopenandAllenboiledoutyelling,"Where’sthePeeks?Didn’tyoubringmethePeeks?"

           "No,"Isaid.And,wonderlayeredwithwonders,hedidn’tscreamhispainandloss.Hedidn’tappealtohismothertoagreethatIhadpromised.

           Hesaid,"Oh!"andwentquietlyaway.

           "Goodevening,"Isaidtohisretreatingbackandhestoppedandsaid,"Goodevening,"asthoughitwereaforeignwordhe’djustlearned.

           Marycameintothekitchen."You’vehadahaircut,"shesaid.Sheidentifiesanystrangenessinmeasafeverorahaircut.

           "No,pincurl,Ihavenot."

           "Well,I’vebeengoinglikespittogetthehouseready."

           "Ready?"

           "Itoldyou,Margie’scomingfordinner."

           "Iknow,butwhyallthefestivehurly-burly?"

           "Wehaven’thadadinnerguestinages."

           "That’strue.That’sreallytrue."

           "Areyougoingtoputonyourdarksuit?"

           "No,OldDobbin,mydecentgray."

           "Whynotthedark?"

           "Don’twanttospoilthepressforchurchtomorrow."

           "Icanpressittomorrowmorning."

           "I’llwearOldDobbin,assweetasuitasyou’llfindinthecounty."

           "Children,"shecalled,"don’tyoutouchanything!I’veputoutthenutdishes.