Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Astheysatthereleaningagainstthetrees,eatingapplesandtalkingabouttheadventurestheywouldhave,Jimbofeltastrongwindcomingup.Applesstartedfallingallaroundthem.

           "Hey,"Jimbosaid."Gonnabeastorm."

           Billyglancedaround."Andlookatthebees!"

           Jimbosawthatthewholefieldseemedtobefilledwithswarming,buzzingbees."They’reallovertheplace.We’llgetstungtodeath.We’retrapped.Help!Help!"hescreamed."Somebodyhelpus!"

           Billypackedquickly."Okay,wedidn’tgetstungonthewayintothefield.Sothebestthingistogooutthewaywecomein—butwegooutrunning.Let’sgonow!"

           Jimbostoppedscreamingandfollowedhim.

           Theytookoff,racingacrossthefield,andmadeitbacktotheroadwithoutgettingstung.

           "Thatwasquickthinking,"Jimbosaid.

           Billylookedatthedarkeningsky."Itsgettingmean-looking.Wegotstopped,solet’scallitofffortoday.We’llgoback,butwewon’tsayanything.Thenwecandoitanothertime."

           Allthewayhome,Jimbokeptwonderingwhyhewaslettinghimselfbeledbyhisyoungerbrother.LaterthatsummertheywentexploringinthewoodsaroundCircleville.WhentheygottoHargisCreek,theysawaropehangingfromabranchoverthewater.

           "Wecanswingacross,"Billysaid.

           "I’llcheckitout,"Jimbosaid.