Shoogie was glad to see me. Doanie, too. When we got back to the buggy, Doanie asked Papa if Shoogie could ride back home with us.
"Yeah, I reckon so, Doanie. What's going on?"
"Trouble, Mister Jodie. Trouble's pilin' up! Shoogie, she is plum puny. And now, Huldie and me just got word to go quick and help with a birthin'. Huldie see'd you pass Ned's house. She said ask, maybe y'all carry Shoogie back. She just in the way. Huldie said tell Black Idd he better put her in the bed. She look puny, plum puny!"
"In that case, we'll take her."
Shoogie didn't look puny to me. She was grinning and eating hickory nuts. She let me have a bite and whispered that she knew where we could find lots, lots more.
"They's just lyin' on the ground—right down yonder at the field. Wanta go get some, Bandershanks?"
"Yeah, let's do! Papa, I'm going with Shoogie. We're gonna pick me up some hickor'nuts!"
"No, no, I don't want you out of my sight."
"It's just right yonder, Papa."
"Where's the tree at, Shoogie?"