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Chapter 9
Therewasakitchenseparatefromtherestofthehouse,tackedontoitbyawoodencatwalk;inthebackyardwasarustybellonapole,usedtosummonfieldhandsorasadistresssignal;awidow’swalkwasontheroof,butnowidowswalkedthere—fromit,Simonoversawhisoverseer,watchedtheriver-boats,andgazedintothelivesofsurroundinglandholders.
TherewentwiththehousetheusuallegendabouttheYankees:oneFinchfemale,recentlyengaged,donnedhercompletetrousseautosaveitfromraidersintheneighborhood;shebecamestuckinthedoortotheDaughters’Staircasebutwasdousedwithwaterandfinallypushedthrough.WhenwearrivedattheLanding,AuntAlexandrakissedUncleJack,FranciskissedUncleJack,UncleJimmyshookhandssilentlywithUncleJack,JemandIgaveourpresentstoFrancis,whogaveusapresent.Jemfelthisageandgravitatedtotheadults,leavingmetoentertainourcousin.Franciswaseightandslickedbackhishair.
"What’dyougetforChristmas?"Iaskedpolitely.
"JustwhatIaskedfor,"hesaid.Francishadrequestedapairofknee-pants,aredleatherbooksack,fiveshirtsandanuntiedbowtie.
"That’snice,"Ilied."Jemandmegotairrifles,andJemgotachemistryset—"
"Atoyone,Ireckon."
"No,arealone.He’sgonnamakemesomeinvisibleink,andI’mgonnawritetoDillinit."
Francisaskedwhatwastheuseofthat.
