“Right away!” said Booge. “What did you call Uncle Peter before your ma went away, Buddy?”
The child looked at Booge in surprise. “Why, 'course I didn't call him at all,” he said as if Booge should have known as much. “He wasn't my Uncle Peter, then.”
“Your ma just sort of stayed around the boat, did she?”
“No, my mama comed to the boat, and I comed to the boat, and my mama went away. But Uncle Peter and Buddy didn't not go away. I want to make a wagon, Uncle Booge.”
“Just one minute and we'll make that wagon, Buddy,” said Booge. “I just want to get this all straight first. What did your ma do when she came to the boat?”
“Mama cried,” said Buddy.
“I bet you!” said Booge. “And what did your ma do then, Buddy?”
“Mama hit Uncle Peter,” said Buddy, “and Mama went away, and Uncle Peter floated the boat, and I floated the boat. And I steered the boat.”
“And your ma left you with Uncle Peter when she went away,” said Booge. “What was your ma's name, Buddy. Was it Lane?”
“It was Mama,” said Buddy.