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Show page 166 "Mostly I been farming the last three years," Holder said, modestly. "Helping your brother? That's fine, Ben. Look here." She began bouncing again, retesting the springs. She looked down and then up at the ceiling, down and then up. Holder had seen once at a circus a man bounce around and finally stand upside down balanced on one finger. Annie appeared to be building up to something similar, u n t i l she hurried around to the heater. "Coal i s in the back yard, Ben." "Thank you, Mrs. Griffin." Annie put both hands to the cold heater, letting her long fingers t r a i l slowly over i t s belly. She opened and slammed the sagging door, then raised her arms horizontally in a great lonely gesture of acceptance of conditions of the unused room, her head cocked like a l i s t e n i n g sparrow's. " I been so lonely, boy. You'll be my happiness, Ben." Holder was embarrassed to the bottom of his feet. He had no idea what to say. He stood calm, as undisturbed outwardly as a loaded, sturdy walnut t r e e. Annie whirled again to the bed. "Look here, Ben, look here, the springs are good. You'll sleep the peace of the blessed, Ben." She plunged her arms into the mattress again, on the upbounce caught Holder looking through a window at the dying sun. She stared around the room, at the one dresser, at the rocker, at the bare mantel, at his suitcase on the floor. She grabbed the suitcase awkwardly, swung i t up to place i t atop the bed. She then came close to him, puzzled by his lack of enthusiasm. |