Mickturnedsidewaysisothatshecouldcrossherlegs.Therewasaruog.IthadstartedwhileshewaswalkingtoworkandshehadspitonitTheherunhadgoherandshehadstuckalittlepieceofchewing-gumontheend.Buteventhatdidnthelp.Nowshewouldhavetogohomeawashardtoknowwhatshecoulddoaboutstogs.SheworethemoutsofastUnlessshewasthekindofongirlthatwouldwearcottonstogs.

    Sheoughtnttohaveeihebottomsofhershoeswerewornout.Sheoughttohavesavedthetweowardanewhalf-sole.Becauseifshekeptonstandingonashoewithaholeinitwhatwouldhappen?Ablisterwouldeonherfoot.Andshewouldhavetopickitwithaburntneedle.Shewouldhavetostayhomefromworkandbefired.

    Andthenwhatwouldhappen？

    Hereyouare,saidMisterBrannon.ButIneverheardofsubinationbefore.’

    Heputthesuhebeeroable.Shepreteoherfingernailsbecauseifshenoticdhimhewouldstarttalking.Hedidnthavethisgrudgeagainstheranymore,sohemusthavefottenaboutthepa.Nowhealwayswaalktoher.Butshewaobequietandbyherself.ThesundaewasO.K.,coveredalloverwithchocolate

    andnutsandcherries.Andthebeerwasrelaxing.Thebeerhadaertasteaftertheicecreamanditmadeherdruomusicbeerwasbest.

    Butnownomusicwasinhermind.Thatwasafunnything.Itwaslikeshewasshutoutfromtheinsideroom.Sometimesaquicklittletunewouldeandgo—butsheneverwentintotheinsideroomwithmusiclikesheusedtodo.Itwaslikeshewastootense.Ormaybebecauseitwaslikethestoretookallherenergyandtime.Wool-worthswasntthesameasschool.

    Whensheusedtoehomefromschoolshefeltgoodandwasreadytostartwonthemusic.Butnowshewasalwaystired.Athomeshejustatesupper