“I get to work in the nursery,” Rose of Sharon said. “They tol’ me. I can find out all how to do for babies, an’ then I’ll know.”
Ma nodded in wonder. “Wouldn’ it be nice if the men-folks all got work?” she asked. “Them a-workin, an’ a little money comin’ in?” Her eyes wandered into space. “Them a-workin’, an’ us a-workin’ here, an’ all them nice people. Fust thing we get a little ahead I’d get me a little stove—nice one. They don’ cost much. An’ then we’d get a tent, big enough, an’ maybe secon’-han’ springs for the beds. An’ we’d use this here tent jus’ to eat under. An’ Sat’dy night we’ll go to the dancin’. They says you can invite folks if you want. I wisht we had some frien’s to invite. Maybe the men’ll know somebody to invite.”
Rose of Sharon peered down the road. “That lady that says I’ll lose the baby—” she began.
“Now you stop that,” Ma warned her.
Rose of Sharon said softly, “I seen her. She’s a-comin’ here, I think. Yeah! Here she comes. Ma, don’t let her—”
Ma turned and looked at the approaching figure.
“Howdy,” the woman said. “I’m Mis’ Sandry—Lisbeth Sandry. I seen your girl this mornin’.”
“Howdy do,” said Ma.
“Are you happy in the Lord?”
“Pretty happy,” said Ma.