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Show in my f a t h e r ' s house/ 144 the yard. "Well! How are you brethren? Brother Ben. Brother Ervil. What can I do for you?" The family's tension disappeared like spring snow into the gravel, and the mothers clustered together, whispering and clucking tongues. The two LeBarons stood silently before my father, hands in pockets, watching their feet shuffle pebbles. My father turned to us. "Go on inside," he called with a wave of his hand. The others went away, but I crouched behind the pump so I couldn't be seen. I heard the LeBarons speaking urgently, angrily to my father. I hadn't heard anyone speak to my father in that tone since the meeting when Brother Musser declared him head of the council. "I'm sorry, gentlemen," my father said. "We all have to do what we see is right between ourselves and the Lord. It would be good if we could just accept our differences and stay on friendly terms." "You'll pay for this," Ben growled. "No man can deny my power. I have Mantle of Joseph." He and Ervil jumped in their truck and drove furiously out of the yard, screeching onto the highway. I stood and ran to my father. "Daddy, Daddy!" "You should be in the house," he said. "What did they want, Daddy?" |