“Miss Harrison is goin’ to elevate us, but we have to give her our able assistance. There seems to be a female sentiment against her here; but that’s plumb natural, bein’ as we’re in a rut and don’t know no better. Judge Steele and Testament Tilton has seen her dance. Them two are real progressive, Ike, and they sees the possibilities.
“Testament Tilton says it’s got anythin’ beat he ever seen, and he’s had his eyes open for sixty-six years. Miss Harrison says she’ll teach Piperock the rhythm of motion and then give a show for the benefit of the church. She’s gotta have a class of five to start with, and after them five has learned all about it they can each take a class of five. See how it’s done?”
“Has she picked her class?”
“I picked ’em for her, Ike. She kinda leans on me.”
“Might better ’a’ picked a fish-pole. Who’d you pick?”
“Me and Pete and Wick Smith and Art Wheeler and you.”
“I ain’t ripe,” says I. “You better put me back on the tree.”
“She wanted you, Ike. Mentioned you right off the reel. Said she wanted a representative group. Well, I got ’em, didn’t I? Everybody wanted to help, but five was all we could use.”
“Is Chuck still in jail?”
“Nope, Chuck’s mad. Yuh see, he told Mrs. Holt that him and Miss Harrison was goin’ to get married, and he wanted Mrs. Holt to take care of her and see that none of the men came near her. Chuck was showin’ her some Injun dances, and it was a good chance to get even with him for lyin’ all the time. Mrs. Holt was willin’ to take her in, bein’ as she was to marry Chuck.