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           SmellfunnyandmakeRaoulhappy.Thatlittlesackofstuff,that’scalledThisisrue,andthisisSabisserootandthatthere’sEbonherbs;here’sblacksulphur,andthistheyclaimisbonedust."

           "Bonedust"ElmiraskippedbackandkickedTom’sankle.Tomyelped.

           "Andhere’swormwoodandfernleavessoyoucanfreezeshotgunsandflylikeabatinyourdreams,itsaysinChapterXofthelittlebookhere.Ithinkit’sfineforgrowingboys’headstothinkaboutthingslikethis.Now,fromthelookonyourfaceyoudon’tbelieveRaoulexists.Well,I’llgiveyouhisSpringfieldaddress."

           "Yes,"saidElmira,"andthedayIwritehimyou’lltaketheSpringfieldbusandgotoGeneralDeliveryandgetmyletterandwritebacktomeinaboy’shand.Iknowyou!"

           "Mrs.Brown,speakup—youwanttobepresidentoftheHoneysuckleLadiesLodge,right?Youruneveryyearnowfortenyears.Younominateyourself.Andalwayswindupgettin’onevote.Yours.Elmira,iftheladieswantedyouthey’dlandslideyouin.ButfromwhereIstandlookingupthemountain,ain’tsomuchasonepebblecomerattlin’downsaveyours.Tellyouwhat,I’llnominateandvoteforyoumyselfcomenoontomorrow,how’sthat?"

           "Damnedforsure,then,"saidElmira."LastyearIgotadeathlycoldrightatelectiontime;couldn’tgetoutandcampaignback-fence-to-back-fence.Yearbeforethat,brokemyleg.Mightystrange."Shesquinteddarklyattheladybehindthescreen."That’snotall.