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"Mister--" She stepped forward She didn't even know the first words to say The crowd stared at her back; she felt the "Mister--"

The man turned to her with a tired smile

"Mister," she said, "do you know Knockwood Hill in Greenwater, Alabama?"

The old man spoke over his shoulder to soraphic

"You know the big oak on top of that hill,oak The place where Willie's father was shot and hung and found swinging in thewind

"Yes"

"Is that still there?" asked Hattie

"It's gone," said the old one, and the oak tree too You see?" He touched the photograph

"Letat the map

Hattie blinked at the white

"Tell me about Greenwater," she said quickly

"What do you want to know?"

"About Dr Phillips Is he still alive?"

Amachine within the rocket

"Killed in the war"