But there was a streak of granite in Pop, too. And he was angry;
white-angry as only a tried Irishman can be. He said in a cold and
level voice, "I think, Mother, you should get Mrs. Wilkes' wraps."
And they left. Ginger Wilkes turned to stick out her tongue at Bobby as
they got on their gooldaks and rode toward the river. And Junior made a
gesture which Bobby returned in kind. But Red Wilkes didn't even look
back. So there was no good reason why Moira should have suddenly burst
into tears and gone to her own room....
V
It was Dick who brought home the bad news. Two Eros days had passed
since the Wilkes took their angry departure from the Moseley home. In
those two days, an unhappy atmosphere had settled down over the house
at Delta Port. Moira said little or nothing, Mom just moped around the
house, The Pooch got indigestion and cried interminably; even Grampaw
Moseley was grumpier than usual. Bobby tried to forget the depression
by playing quoits. He gave it up as a bad job. It wasn't any fun
playing by yourself, and Dick and Pop were too busy to play with him.
If only--
But comets to Junior Wilkes! And Ginger, too!
At dinner time, Dick came into the house slowly, a thoughtful look in
his eyes. When they were seated he said, suddenly, "Have any of you
seen the Wilkes lately?"
Grampaw said, "I seen Old Man Wilkes. He was pitchforkin' land down
by our south forty, oney on the opposite side o' the river. Fat ol'
sinner. I chucked a rock at 'im!"
Bobby looked interested.
"You hit him, Grampaw?"
"I don't never miss. In the right leg."
"I bet he hollered."
Grampaw sucked his upper plate fiercely. "Nary a holler, durn him! He
jist pulled up his pants-leg and made a face at me. _De_-crepit ol'
fool's got a wooden leg!"