Early in the morning Bertie heard more noises in the kitchen. He rubbed his eyes, rolled over, and put his shoes on. He then went to the kitchen.

“Well good morning! Are you here to help?” Not waiting for an answer, Mrs. Reeves gave Bertie a small towel and pointed him at a new pile of pots and pans that needed drying.

Bertie took the towel and started wiping. As he cleaned, the kitchen started smelling of roast pork and beans. The smell reminded Bertie that he was getting hungry.

“Will we be having breakfast Mrs. Reeves,” asked Bertie.

“Yes, but a small one, then you and your trouble making friend will have to go home and we will go to Campbell AME in Media,” said Mrs. Reeves.

“What is an AME?”

“A church. They have churches where you live?” Mrs. Reeves looked hard at Bertie. “Just where are you from?”

“Leeds, England but we are going to Texas to start a farm.”

“That should keep you busy,” Mrs. Reeves paused, “and out of trouble.”

The bedroom door opened and Seph came in. “Something smells good! I cannot wait.”

“Well, you will have to do just that. This is for after the service. Here.” Mrs. Reeves handed Seph a bone with meat on it. “Gnaw on this.”

“Bertie, go wake up Dawsey. You both need to eat up and be on your way,” said Seph.

“Yes,” said Bertie. He went over and roused Dawsey who put on his shoes. The two boys looked at Mrs. Reeves.

“Here are your bones. Now eat up quick. We all have to leave soon to go to our churches.”

The boys quickly cleaned the bones of all the meat remaining on their bones.

“Is there any more? I am still hungry,” said Dawsey.

“There is no more for you. You are lucky to get that bone. You can get more to eat when you get home and it is time for you to leave,” said Seph and showed the boys the door. The boys put their bones down, wiped their hands and face, and stood up.

“Yes, we will leave now,” said Bertie who turned to Mrs. Reeves. “Thank you for the meals and for letting us stay here last night.”

“Hmmph. You are welcome.” Mrs. Reeves looked at Dawsey. “But do not make this a habit.”

“You do not have to worry about me. I am going west to Texas”

“It is not you that I am worried about.” Mrs. Reeves glared at Dawsey.

Dawsey started to say something when Seph pushed the boys out of the front door. The boys went only a couple of steps when they stopped and gasped.

“What happened here? Who tore up our rows,” said Dawsey.

“We worked so hard,” said Bertie.

Seph just smiled. “You are lucky that only your rows of pumpkins were tore up. This is exactly what I hoped would happen.”

The boys turned and stared at Seph.

“That is right.” Seph paused. “I was expecting Svin to come over last night and do some damage to my farm. So I gave him something easy and convenient to destroy. That way he would not go out back and do some real harm.”

“We got off lucky this time,” growled Mrs.Reeves.

“I did not think that Svin would be so mean,” said Dawsey.

“That is right. You did not think,” said Seph. “It is time for you to go.”

Dawsey glared at Seph. He opened his mouth, but closed it, saying nothing. He turned around to face Bertie. “Come on. It is time to go.”

“First smart thing that you have said since you got here, said Mrs. Reeves.

“I am sorry that we caused you any problems and that you will not get any pumpkins,” said Bertie. He turned around, nodded his head at Dawsey, and they walked out the gate. They went to the left and were soon at the main road. There they turned left again to head home, but just as they turned they heard someone running up to them.

“Caleb, what are doing? Why are you chasing us,” said Dawsey.

“Mama said that you should go straight to church and ‘The Lord will forgive you for causing such trouble, but it might take me a little more time to do the same.’” Mama also wanted you to have something to eat after church. Caleb handed Dawsey a small bundle.

“Tell your mama thank you. I will try to not be such a pest.”

Caleb rolled his eyes. “I will tell that to Mama” He then turned around, and ran back to his house.

Bertie stared at Caleb as he ran home, then turned back to Dawsey and smiled. “I do not think that he believed you.”

“What? I will try to be better. Of course, I may not succeed, but I will try.”

“Uh huh.” Bertie smiled.

The boys headed up the hill. They were soon passing the Hayti Cemetery where daffodils were starting to fade. The boys did see that there were several azaleas in bloom and some redbuds.

“I like the redbuds. They have pretty flowers,” said Dawsey.

“I would not have pegged as someone who likes flowers.”

“Do not tell anyone. I would not want anyone to think less of my manly qualities.”

They continued walking. They passed the quarry. When they heard some dogs barking, they started walking faster. The thought of Fang and Claw was still fresh in the boys minds.

After a moment, from behind, they heard…

“Hello Friend Binns! Would thee like a ride up to Meeting?”

“Hello Friend Elliot. Yes I would like a ride to the meetinghouse.”

“Then jump up on the back and we will take you there.”

The boys hopped on the carriage and as Dawsey and Bertie got on, the two girls inside the carriage giggled. “Thee is not dressed properly for Meeting.” said one of the girls who then paused, “and you smell like pigs.”

“What we are wearing will have to do,” said Dawsey.

“Indeed. I am sure that Friend Smytheville will find something for you to do outside when we get there,” said Friend Elliot as he held his nose and winked at the girls.

The horses started off at a quick trot. The boys almost fell off the carriage. They were not comfortable. The back of the carriage was not made for people. However, they were soon at the meetinghouse. When the horse stopped, the boys jumped off the carriage.

“Thank you for the ride Friend Elliot.” said Dawsey.

Just then, a large woman who looked like she was perpetually flustered and bothered stepped out of the meetinghouse. She pointed at the boys. “You two, do not even think about going inside to worship. God may forgive your scruffy looks and your,” She scrunched her nose, “and your stench, but I cannot. I want you both to go to the cemetery and start cleaning it up.”

“Yes Friend Smytheville,” said Dawsey and the boys went over to where there were rows of little rounded grave stones. But they did not start cleaning.

Instead, they opened the package that Mrs. Reeves gave them and started eating.