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"What else?"

"She spilled her tea, and it stained the button a little And also--"

"Yes?"

"She was sad once, when she earing the sweater, and while she was feeling sad, she rubbed the button a little, back and forth It coment, because of the comfort

"And one other time? This is funny! She held her niece's baby on her lap, and the baby grabbed the button and wouldn't let go! Everybody was laughing!"

"And all of that is there for you to find when you touch the button," Thin Elderly pointed out

"And lots s that have been part of the life of that little button They create a story Everything has a story," Thin Elderly explained

Littlest thought it over "And when she said to the boy, 'I'll tell you a story,' and then she began, 'Once upon a time there was a little boy,' that was his story, wasn't it?"

"Yes Part of his story A very sain That was nice I was afraid he wouldn't" She fell silent for a moment "You knohat, Thin Elderly?"

"What?"

"I' the whole--I forget the name"

"Horde"

"Yes I'ht the Horde by strengthening him That's our job"

"It's an important job," she said sleepily "But scary"

"It is indeed" Thin Elderly stretched and settled hiood day's sleep," he said "Tonight we'll start the strengthening We'll have solanced over at Littlest One and smiled Her wide eyes had already closed

He closed his as well, and now the whole Heap slept and was silent, refreshing their vigor and strength for the work of the next night

17

"Don't get any stupid idea about keeping me," John said "Just because I did that stuff for you, filling the dog's dish and sweeping the porch, don't think you can keep me and make h the park, to let Toby sniff a bush and raise his leg

"I appreciated that," the wo It's hard for me because my shoulders are stiff It was lovely to have help"

"C'ed at the leash and Toby moved to his side obediently "The police would come if you tried to kidnap me," he pointed out "They'd have sharpshooters, with rifles They'd be behind every tree, aiuy would say into a o'"

"Goodness That would cause sohborhood, wouldn't it?" She pointed to a wooden bench "Shall we sit down for a ed herself on the park bench and Toby settled hi his feet restlessly "Anyway, you couldn't keep et lass and looked through it toward a squirrel at the foot of a nearby tree "My dad has a shotgun," he said "He could kill that squirrel He could blow its head off

"He could blow your head off!" he added, and turned toward her, still looking through his own curled hand

"Goodness Why ever would he do that?"

"Well, maybe he wouldn't But if he found out you wereThen he'd coun

"I'd call him," he added "I kno He told me, 'You just call me if you need me Anytime' That's what he said"

"So you know your father's nued "I don't need to I just call that guy on TV The Verizon guy"

"Oh I see"

"It would cost a whole lot And you'd have to pay If you don't pay your phone bill, they keep calling to remind you, and if you still don't pay? Then they turn your phone off Then how are you supposed to get a job or anything?"

The woathered her purse and sweater and stood "Coo home," she said "Actually," she said to the boy as he wound Toby's leash around his hand, "I don't think I'll be looking for a job I had one, once I was a teacher But I've been retired for quite a while

"Is yourfor a job?" she asked, as they walked toward the park entrance "Is that why you're worried about the phone?"

He scowled "My mom don't need a job," he said "She's rich She lives in a ht now she's on vacation," he added "That's why I have to stay with you and be your slave"

At the street corner, she put her hand lightly on his shoulder "Wait for the walk light," she re's leash "If it wasn't forwould be roadkill"