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Show 6-3 "I'm sure your father will tell you if you're ever in the way. Or the nuns will chase you out." "Like Sister George." We both laughed. "Yes, can you see your father running from an old lady with a broom? I wish I had been there." So it was settled, at least as far as Mother was concerned. I could go back. It bothered me that I hadn't told Mother the entire truth of yesterday, but I knew I wasn't ready. The next day, I packed my bookbag with my world atlas and a picture book about Europe. Andrew had been there and might like to see the pictures. I stuck in a few apples and some oatmeal cookies left over from Grandmother's party. The trolley conductor recognized me from two days before and asked if I wanted to get off at the hospital. "You have a relative there?" He squinted down at me from under his uniform cap-; "No. My father is a doctor there." "Some real beauties there. I'm glad they don't let them out on the street. Might scare the horses." And he laughed. I grew hot and wished I hadn't spoken to him. Was that the truth? Couldn't they leave? Were they in prison there? Then I thought of walking down the street with Andrew, and realized how people would stare, people like the conductor and the ladies from the church. And I realized he might not want to leave. I jumped off at the corner by the high fence and walked up the long walkway. The ground under the trees was as cool and shady as it had been before and the men were there, playing, lying about. Again they ignored me. |