A Short Pasage
Melinda (Calling sweetly): How-ard! (Howard, annoyed, turns and looks toward the voice. Melinda, a healthy, pigtailed girl of twelve, skips on) Hello, Howard. (Howard is disinterested, continues to search the ground.)
Howard: 'Lo, Lindy.
Melinda (Making conversation):I think it's gonna be hotter'n yesterday. That rain last night didn't do much good.
Howard (Professionally): It brought up the worms. (Suddenly he spots one in the lawn. Swiftly he grabs for it, and holds it up proudly) Lookit this fat one!
Melinda (Shivering): How can you touch 'em? It makes me all goose-bumpy! (Howard dangles it in front of her face. She backs away, shuddering.)
Howard: What're yuh skeered of? You was a worm once!
Melinda (Shocked): I wasn't neither!
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