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           TheirvoicesswelledwhenMissMaudieopenedthedoortothediningroom.AuntAlexandrawasaheadofme,andIsawherheadgoupasshewentthroughthedoor.

           "Oh,Mrs.Perkins,"shesaid,"youneedsomemorecoffee.Letmegetit."

           "Calpurnia’sonanerrandforafewminutes,Grace,"saidMissMaudie."Letmepassyousomemoreofthosedewberrytarts.‘dyouhearwhatthatcousinofminedidtheotherday,theonewholikestogofishing?..."

           Andsotheywent,downtherowoflaughingwomen,aroundthediningroom,refillingcoffeecups,dishingoutgoodiesasthoughtheironlyregretwasthetemporarydomesticdisasteroflosingCalpurnia.

           Thegentlehumbeganagain."Yessir,Mrs.Perkins,thatJ.GrimesEverettisamartyredsaint,he...neededtogetmarriedsotheyran...tothebeautyparloreverySaturdayafternoon...soonasthesungoesdown.Hegoestobedwiththe...chickens,acratefullofsickchickens,Fredsaysthat’swhatstarteditall.Fredsays...."

           AuntAlexandralookedacrosstheroomatmeandsmiled.Shelookedatatrayofcookiesonthetableandnoddedatthem.IcarefullypickedupthetrayandwatchedmyselfwalktoMrs.Merriweather.Withmybestcompanymanners,Iaskedherifshewouldhavesome.

           Afterall,ifAuntycouldbealadyatatimelikethis,socouldI.