Zeely by Virginia Hamilton

Author:Virginia Hamilton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media LLC
Published: 2010-06-15T04:00:00+00:00

11

“JUST LOOK AT ALL the people!” Geeder had not thought so many folks could fit on the main street. The mood was right for a parade. The children were all there, the ones who had been at the bonfire the night before and still others who had heard the story of Zeely.

“Let’s get closer!” Geeder grabbed Toeboy by the arm and pushed her way through the children at the curbs until she was right in front. Now she could see all the folks talking in small groups at the corners. They would glance curiously at the children and then quickly away.

“They don’t want us to know why they’re here,” she said, “but I know why. They’ve come to see Zeely just like we have!”

Before Nat Tayber reached the center of the village, the air held the smell of hogs. The scent caught in the mist not yet evaporated by the sun. Wild, piercing squeals cut through the musky odor as Nat and his boys used their poles. Geeder shivered and crossed her fingers so the animals would not get hurt badly. People poured forth from stores and shops, taking up positions on both sides of the street. There were women in bonnets against the mist, with loaded shopping bags and baskets. There were farm people in their coveralls and wide-brim hats. There were all kinds of people there—townspeople, country folk and hordes of near-hysterical boys and girls, unable to speak for fear they might spoil what was to come.

“Geeder, I’m going,” Toeboy said. “I want to go back to Uncle Ross.”

“Toeboy, what’s wrong with you?” Geeder said. She couldn’t believe she had heard him right.

“I don’t like it here,” he said, “and I don’t want to see those animals hurt.” He was thinking about the night traveller and wondering what it would do when it caught up with him.

“Oh, don’t be dumb, Toeboy! They won’t get hurt,” Geeder said. “Zeely won’t let them get hurt. You stay right where you are.”

“How will she keep them from getting hurt?” Toeboy asked.

“She won’t let them, that’s all,” Geeder said. “Don’t you worry.”

“Let me go,” Toeboy pleaded. “I don’t want to see the hogs run any more.”

Geeder ignored him, holding on to him tightly as the hogs came on in a mass.

“There’s the mist over everything,” she whispered to herself. “It makes the street all wet and shining. Look how the sun comes through in patches. There’s not a thing to say about it, it’s a special day to the stars. Zeely Tayber is the brightest star of all!”

The hogs looked as if they were half crazed from fear. Many of them frothed at the mouth and staggered blindly in circles. Nat Tayber and his boys managed to get in front of them to slow the lead animals down. It was a wonder the boys and Nat didn’t get bitten, for the hogs snapped at and fought anything that got in their path.

All the time, Toeboy struggled to free himself, but Geeder grimly held him.

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