Uncle Eb sat in the corner near
the melodeon looking strangely out of place in his ticking overalls.
"Is--is she--dead?" Pee-Wee whispered fearfully.
"Sit down, Walter," said Aunt Jamsiah; "no, she isn't dead, she's
better."
Uncle Eb said nothing, only watched Pee-Wee keenly.
Pee-Wee seated himself, feeling very uncomfortable.
"Walter," said his aunt, "something very serious has happened and
I'm going to ask one or two questions. You will tell me the truth,
won't you?"
"I'll answer fer him doin' that," said Uncle Eb.
"Sure I will," said Pee-Wee proudly.
"Walter, do you know what Pepsy's secret was? You remember she
said she had a secret that would make lots and lots of people come
and buy things from you?"
"Girls are--" Pee-Wee began. He was going to say they were crazy,
but remembering the one that lay upstairs he caught himself up and
said, "they're kind of--they think they have big ideas when they
haven't. I should worry about their secrets."
"But some of Pepsy's ideas and plans have been very big, Walter,"
his aunt said ruefully. "You see we know her better than you do. She's
very, very queer; I'm afraid no one understands her."
"I understand her," said Pee-Wee. "She believes in bad luck days.
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