Убить пересмешника

           "Thesearegood,"hesaid."I’veneverseenanythesegood."

           Heheldthemdowntome.Theywerealmostperfectminiaturesoftwochildren.Theboyhadonshorts,andashockofsoapyhairfelltohiseyebrows.IlookedupatJem.Apointofstraightbrownhairkickeddownwardsfromhispart.Ihadnevernoticeditbefore.

           Jemlookedfromthegirl-dolltome.Thegirl-dollworebangs.SodidI.

           "Theseareus,"hesaid.

           "Whodid‘em,youreckon?"

           "Whodoweknowaroundherewhowhittles?"heasked.

           "Mr.Avery."

           "Mr.Averyjustdoeslikethis.Imeancarves."

           Mr.Averyaveragedastickofstovewoodperweek;hehoneditdowntoatoothpickandchewedit.

           "There’soldMissStephanieCrawford’ssweetheart,"Isaid.

           "Hecarvesallright,buthelivesdownthecountry.Whenwouldheeverpayanyattentiontous?"

           "MaybehesitsontheporchandlooksatusinsteadofMissStephanie.IfIwashim,Iwould."

           JemstaredatmesolongIaskedwhatwasthematter,butgotNothing,Scoutforananswer.Whenwewenthome,Jemputthedollsinhistrunk.