The fence was on her ground, so it was, and so were two
rows of the potatoes. She could do what she liked with
her own, so she could. She didn't ask them to plant
potatoes on her ground. If they wanted to stand there
gawkin' at her, they wur welcome. She always did like
comp'ny; but she was afraid the childer would catch cowld,
they were dressed so loight for so late in the season.
She picked up the last pailful as she spoke, and retired
into her own house, leaving the Watson family to do the
same.
Mrs. Watson counselled peace. John ate his breakfast in
silence; but the young Watsons, and even Pearlie, thirsted
for revenge. Bugsey Watson forgot his Band of Hope teaching
of returning good for evil, and standing on the disputed
territory, he planted his little bare legs far apart and
shouted, dancing up and down to the rhythm:
Chew tobacco, chew tobacco,
Spit, spit, spit!
Old McGuire, old McGuire,
Nit, nit, nit!
Mrs. McGuire did occasionally draw comfort from an old
clay pipe--but Bugsey's punishment was near.
A long shadow fell upon him, and turning around he found
himself face to face with Mary Barner who stood spellbound,
listening to her lately installed Band of Hoper!
Bugsey's downfall was complete! He turned and ran down
the road and round behind an elevator, where half an hour
later Pearl found him shedding penitential tears, not
alas! because he had sinned, but because he had been
found out.
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