Over the fence, across lots to the rear of the house he scampered. Lin was out mopping the floor of the back porch. Perched on the top of the fence he caught sight of her.
"Hello, Lin? How-dye?"
Lin heard the voice. She did not recognize the speaker at once.
"Hello, Lin?" he shouted again.
Lin shaded her eyes, gazed hard at the boy, dropped the mop, and Alfred heard her call:
"My Gawd, Mary! Come out here, quick!"
The mother appeared as Alfred neared the house. Looking curiously at him, she covered her face with her apron and began to laugh. Lin ran into the house screaming and laughing. The boy stood abashed. The mother motioned him to approach her, pushing him into the house. She obtained a view of the rear of the warrior's uniform and a fresh outburst of laughter prevented her even speaking to him. Lin and the mother clasped each other in their arms as they swayed, weakened with laughter. Lin was the first to recover her speech. The boy's feelings were hurt.
"Where's your regular clothes?" Lin first asked, "you bin in a-swimmin' agin and lost 'em, I reckon."
The children came romping home from school, Sister Lizzie rolled on the floor as she caught sight of the boy and asked Lin, between screams: "Who dressed brother Al up like that?"
The mother ordered him to remain in the room until they got other clothes for him. They did not want the neighbors to see him dressed as he was.