The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1936-02-06


some peace. But it was the peace of
death. The Willards' huge cornfeld
had been converted into a shambles
of MANNED and ugly stalks, and
every green thing had been at least
partially gnawed and worried as
though with a pair of small blunt
scissors, ~.:hough-as Roddy kept
repeating with grateful emphasis
enough of the ears had been spared
to provide seed for another year.
On the following Friday evening,
Jason and Paula drove down in
time to have dinner with the old
folks. Sophronia, feeling more like
herself now, determined to make
their visit an OCCASION for bringing
the family together.
well celebrated" she announced.
There's been enough grief around
here the past two weeks, Lord
knows! What with me dyin' and the
crops burnin' up and the hoppers
eatin' what's left, there hasn't been
much celebratin' in this place. I'll
ask Roddy and Corinne to come
down for supper and bring old
Steve along"
Paula and Silver and Sophronia
went to the kitchen to prepart the
meal and left Jason and old Roder-
ick to themselves in the living
room, where they reviewed the
ravages the district had suffered
from the plague. Silver herself de-
livered Phronie's invitation to Co.
rhine and returned at once to help
with the supper and to talk with
Paula.
When they were ready to sit
down at last, Sophronia went to
the window and looked out.
'There they are now,' she said.
'We'n get the things on the table,
Silver" She hesitated and thrust
her face closer to the window.
''Where's Corinne, I wonder? She
isn't with Roddy and Steve
probably putting on her best
dress for the OCCASION" old Roder-
lex suggested.
In a moment Roddy stepped into
the house and greeted Jason and
Paula.
'What's keepin' Corinne?" So
phronia inquired. "Supper's ready
to go on
Roddy frowned. "She's not COM
ing" he said.
Sophronia folded her hands in
her apron. "She's not comm?
What's the matter, them"
Roddy made gesture of dismis-
sal. Don't ask me, ma! Gosh, I give
up trying to understand women"
''Do you mean she's goin' to stay
up there at the house by herself?"
Sophronia persisted.
'She was ready to come down
with me when she told me the she
would have to leave Immediately
after supper to go over to Harry
Richter's place. I told her it might
be a good idea if she moved her
things over there-and she went off
into one of her tantrums. I can't do
anything about it."
Steve slumped into chair. We'll
get along without her, I reckon"
he grumbled.
..Steve!" old Roderick rebuked
him.
"Weu-let's sit in, them" So
phronia ordered.
They took their places at once
and Sophronia forbade any talk OF
the plague or the hard times that
loomed ahead.
eve might give our ideas Of what
kind of grandfather we're going
to make out Of pa" Jason suggest
ed, with a wink at Paula.
Hell be pretty green at it for a
WHILE" Roddy laughed.
'T might have had little prac-
tice, my lad" old Roderick retorted,
Elf you'd done your duty"
Silver glanced at Roddy and
caught the look of embarrassment
that darkened his face as the others
laughed.
'Hold your tongues, now-an OF
you'll" Sophronia spoke up. She
turned to Silver. II clean forgot the
jar of pickles I set out. ! wish you'd
bring them in. I'm fair run Off my
feet"
Silver was grateful for the oppor-
4,,n;4x, 4n leave the table.