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           Hishandsdugintohispockets."Heck,can’tyoueventrytoseeitmyway?You’vegotchildrenofyourown,butI’molderthanyou.WhenminearegrownI’llbeanoldmanifI’mstillaround,butrightnowI’m—iftheydon’ttrustmetheywon’ttrustanybody.JemandScoutknowwhathappened.Iftheyhearofmesayingdowntownsomethingdifferenthappened—Heck,Iwon’thavethemanymore.Ican’tliveonewayintownandanotherwayinmyhome."

           Mr.Taterockedonhisheelsandsaidpatiently,"He’dflungJemdown,hestumbledoverarootunderthattreeand—look,Icanshowyou."

           Mr.Tatereachedinhissidepocketandwithdrewalongswitchbladeknife.Ashedidso,Dr.Reynoldscametothedoor."Theson—deceased’sunderthattree,doctor,justinsidetheschoolyard.Gotaflashlight?Betterhavethisone."

           "Icaneasearoundandturnmycarlightson,"saidDr.Reynolds,buthetookMr.Tate’sflashlight."Jem’sallright.Hewon’twakeuptonight,Ihope,sodon’tworry.Thattheknifethatkilledhim,Heck?"

           "Nosir,stillinhim.Lookedlikeakitchenknifefromthehandle.Kenoughtabetherewiththehearsebynow,doctor,‘night."

           Mr.Tateflickedopentheknife."Itwaslikethis,"hesaid.Heheldtheknifeandpretendedtostumble;asheleanedforwardhisleftarmwentdowninfrontofhim."Seethere?Stabbedhimselfthroughthatsoftstuffbetweenhisribs.Hiswholeweightdroveitin."

           Mr.Tateclosedtheknifeandjammeditbackinhispocket.