But that did not help Emmy Lou one bit.
Aunt Cordelia looked troubled. “She doesn’t seem to be catching up,” she said.
“No,” said Aunt Katie.
“Nor—on,” said Uncle Charlie, the brother of the aunties, lighting his cigar to go downtown.
Aunt Cordelia spread the paper out. It bore the words:
“It is for you.”
“Emmy Lou shook her head.”
So Emmy Lou put the pencil away in the companion, and tucked it about with the grimy slate rags that no harm might befall it. And the next day she took it out and used it. But first she looked over at the little boy. The little boy was busy. But when she looked up again, he was looking.