Both men kept their eyes on the little twig on the water’s edge. They saw the water move slowly up around it and creep up the bank.
Pa squatted down in the doorway. “Comin’ up fast,” he said. “I think we oughta go talk to the other fellas. See if they’ll help ditch up. Got to git outa here if they won’t.” Pa looked down the long car to the Wainwright end. Al was with them, sitting beside Aggie. Pa walked into their precinct. “Water’s risin’,” he said. “How about if we throwed up a bank? We could do her if ever’body helped.”
Wainwright said, “We was jes’ talkin’. Seems like we oughta be gettin’ outa here.”
Pa said, “You been aroun’. You know what chancet we got a gettin’ a dry place to stay.”
“I know. But jes’ the same—”
Al said, “Pa, if they go, I’m a-goin’ too.”
Pa looked startled. “You can’t, Al. The truck—We ain’t fit to drive that truck.”
“I don’ care. Me an’ Aggie got to stick together.”
“Now you wait,” Pa said. “Come on over here.” Wainwright and Al got to their feet and approached the door. “See?” Pa said, pointing. “Jus’ a bank from there an’ down to there.” He looked at his stick. The water swirled about it now, and crept up the bank.
“Be a lot a work, an’ then she might come over anyways,” Wainwright protested.