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           Jemrantothebackyard,producedthegardenhoeandbegandiggingquicklybehindthewoodpile,placinganywormshefoundtooneside.Hewentinthehouse,returnedwiththelaundryhamper,filleditwithearthandcarriedittothefrontyard.

           Whenwehadfivebasketsofearthandtwobasketsofsnow,Jemsaidwewerereadytobegin.

           "Don’tyouthinkthisiskindofamess?"Iasked.

           "Looksmessynow,butitwon’tlater,"hesaid.

           Jemscoopedupanarmfulofdirt,patteditintoamoundonwhichheaddedanotherload,andanotheruntilhehadconstructedatorso.

           "Jem,Iain’teverheardofaniggersnowman,"Isaid.

           "Hewon’tbeblacklong,"hegrunted.

           Jemprocuredsomepeachtreeswitchesfromthebackyard,plaitedthem,andbentthemintobonestobecoveredwithdirt.

           "HelookslikeStephanieCrawfordwithherhandsonher,"Isaid."Fatinthemiddleandlittle-bittyarms."

           "I’llmake‘embigger."Jemsloshedwateroverthemudmanandaddedmoredirt.Helookedthoughtfullyatitforamoment,thenhemoldedabigstomachbelowthefigure’swaistline.Jemglancedatme,hiseyestwinkling:"Mr.Avery’ssortofshapedlikeasnowman,ain’the?"

           Jemscoopedupsomesnowandbeganplasteringiton.Hepermittedmetocoveronlytheback,savingthepublicpartsforhimself.GraduallyMr.Averyturnedwhite.