"
"What's school like, Uncle Bob?" asked Hannibal, twisting and
squirming under the big resolute hands of the man.
"I can't just say what it's like."
"Why, didn't you ever go to school, Uncle Bob?"
"Didn't I ever go to school! Where do you reckon I got my
education, anyhow? I went to school several times in my young
days."
"On a Sunday, like this?"
"No, the school I tackled was on a week-day."
"Was it hard?" asked Hannibal, who was beginning to cherish
secret misgivings; for surely all this soap and water must have
some sinister portent
"Well, some learn easier than others. I learned middling easy
--it didn't take me long--and when I felt I knowed enough I just
naturally quit and went on about my business."
"But what did you learn?" insisted the boy.
"You-all wouldn't know if I told you, because you-all ain't ever
been to school yo'self. When you've had yo' education we'll talk
over what I learned--it mostly come out of a book." He hoped his
general statement would satisfy Hannibal, but it failed to do so.
"What's a book. Uncle Bob?" he demanded.
"Well, whatever a body don't know naturally he gets out of a
book. I reckon the way you twist, Nevvy, mebby you'd admire fo'
to lose an ear!" and Mr. Yancy refused further to discuss the
knowledge he had garnered in his youth.
Hannibal and Yancy were the first to arrive at the deserted cabin
in the old field that afternoon. They found the place had been
recently cleaned and swept, while about the wall was ranged a row
of benches; there was also a table and two chairs.
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