Audio Book Narration

Transcript

Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
Ruth gave the table one smart rap with the bottom of her glass. That's enough, Ruthie. He set the picture back on the table and reached to take the glass out of her hands. It was impossible to say, really, what happened next? Did she drop it deliberately or on? Lee released her hold before his grip was firm. In any case, the glass hit the floor with a crash. Hilda came down to breakfast as he was sleeping up. Ruth doesn't get anything today unless she asked for it properly. Hilda, he said, dumping the shards into the waste basket. She knows how to talk. I understand, Hilda answered, pouring coffee into her cup, as if the kitchen were her own. She seemed almost pleased. Carl thought at the chance to punish Ruth, and it made him think better of his words. I don't mean you should starve. A Hilda looked at him thoughtfully and took a sip of her coffee. You let females walk all over you, Carl. You know that even this little thing here you don't do or no favors letting her have her way. Her talking like that made him angry. Maybe she was right about Ruth anyway. What did he know about raising a little girl? He worried about her losing to Mama's. No wonder she wasn't acting right. But what could he do about it? Hilda. New best he thought he hoped. As he hurried out to the barn at noon, Hilda made a cheese sandwich and held it out to Ruth on a plate. When the little girl reached for it, Hilda lifted it high. What do we say? Ruth began to whimper. Crocodile tears won't get you nowhere with me. Young Lady Hilda took a bite out of the sandwich and shoot it deliberately. As Ruth began to shriek, Hilda set the sandwich down and rummage through a drawer. When she turned to face Ruth again, she was holding a wooden spoon. I'll give you something to cry about. She grabbed Ruth by the arm and landed three or four. Good smacks on roofs bottom. That'll learn you. She picked Ruth up around the waist, carried her upstairs, deposited her in her room and shut the door. Hilda made supper for them every night, usually boiled potatoes and some piece of meat cooked until it had relinquished the very last of its juices. She isn't even properly trained, she complained, spreading mustard onto her potato with her knife. What do you mean trained in what? Carl usually kept his head down as they ate. So is not to have to watch her chew. But he looked up now puzzled. Well, you know, trained When Karl, still uncomprehending, shook his head, Hilda blushed and lowered her eyes. You know, she wets herself. It was such a relief to see Hilda looking that way, disconcerted un formidable. That car left. And, amazingly, Hilda laughed, too. It's nothing to laugh at, she protested, but she was still smiling. For a few brief moments, they looked at each other, struck by the difference. But neither knew how to go on. Well, what do we do about it? Karl asked. Finally, I guess I know how to train a child. Hilda's training method consisted of not allowing Ruth to change her panties when she went, Um, and of course, that meant she wasn't allowed to sit down anywhere in the house. You have to learn to live with your mistakes, Hilda said. Ruth took to hiding her wet underthings and wearing nothing under her skirt for the rest of the day. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Carl Hilda said, meeting him at the back door the day she discovered Ruths trick. But a normal child, a decent child doesn't run around naked. You can see she wasn't growing up right. It's no wonder the sisters in the nuthouse, and it makes you wonder about the mother, too. I'm sorry to say it, but it does. She did not seem sorry to say it. She seemed pleased. Triumphant. Carl was outraged. You have no right to say such things about my wife or my wife's family, and that's the way you feel. You can go on back to Tomahawk. I'll give you the money for your ticket. Hilda seem surprised by his anger and leave you alone with a child like this. I think I know my duty better than that. She turned, then abruptly and went into the kitchen and busied herself among the pans. Carl put his jacket back on and took himself back out to the barn, although he had already decided he was through for the day and began to soap Frenchies, Bridal. How dare she, he thought say such things about Matilda, about her family. She was only a jealous spinster trying to cause trouble for another woman. Ah, happy woman. A woman who had a husband who loved her. He rubbed the bridal hard until the rag he was using slipped and the friction of his fingers against the leather burned his skin.