Independence is a tough, leathery word, ram-rod straight and strong.
You could not separate the two - as though the word were created, if not by him, then at least for him. It seems I remember him best in hot weather. Not that it was necessary for he was always at the house by noon. Never a noonday passed that he didn't listen to Gabriel Heater give the news. Yet, I would go because this time of walking to the house with him was a glorious time.