The last boy, the one with the stone-bruise on his heel, limps around the corner. They have all the fun. His ma won't let him go barefoot because it spreads his feet.
“Robbie! Answer me.”
“Mam?”
“Did you hoe that corn your father told you to?”
“Yes mam.”
“All of it? Did you hoe all of it?”
“Prett' near all of it.” Well begun is half done. One hill is a good beginning, and half done is pretty nearly all.
“Go and finish it.”
“I will if you'll let me go swimmin'.”
It flashes upon him that even now by running he can catch up with the other fellows. He can finishing the hoeing when he gets back.