8

           ThatSaturday,afterElliehadcompletedherfirstweekofschoolandjustbeforethecollegekidscamebacktocampus,JudCrandallcameacrosstheroadandwalkedovertowheretheCreedfamilysatontheirlawn.Elliehadgottenoffherbikeandwasdrinkingaglassoficedtea.Gagewascrawlinginthegrass,examiningbugs,perhapseveneatingafew;Gagewasnotparticularwherehisproteincamefrom.

           "Jud,"Louissaid,gettingup."Letmegetyouachair."

           "Noneed."Judwaswearingjeans,anopen-throatedworkshirt,andapairofgreenboots.HelookedatEllie."Youstillwanttoseewhereyonpathgoes,Ellie?"

           "Yes!"Elliesaid,gettingupimmediately.Hereyessparkled."GeorgeBuckatschooltoldmeitwasthepetcemetery,andItoldMommy,butshesaidtowaitforyoubecauseyouknewwhereitwas."

           "Ido,too,"Judsaid."Ifit’sokaywithyourfolks,we’lltakeusastrollupthere.You’llwantapairofbootsthough.Ground’sabitsquishyinplaces."

           Ellierushedintothehouse.

           Judlookedafterherwithamusedaffection."Maybeyou’dliketocometoo,Louis,"

           "Iwould,"Louissaid.HelookedatRachel."Youwanttocome,honey?"

           "WhataboutGage?Ithoughtitwasamile."

           "I’llputhimintheGerrypack."

           Rachellaughed."Okay...butit’syourback,mister."

           Theystartedofftenminuteslater,allofthembutGagewearingboots.