Losing Battles (69 page)

“It’s the first I knew I was trying,” he said, with his big smile.

He lifted her and set her up on Bet’s waiting back, and took Bet by the bridle and led her. They started for home.

“And some day,” Gloria said, “some day yet, we’ll move to ourselves. And there’ll be just you and me and Lady May.”

“And a string of other little chaps to come along behind her,” said Jack. “You just can’t have too many, is the way I look at it.”

Sid twinkled out of the church. He had gone straight through Damascus Church, in at the back and out at the front, as though it were a tree across a ditch. He came in springs down the bank and ran up the red road, tail jumping like a ringing bell as he sped for home, and growing smaller and smaller up ahead.

Jack and Gloria went along behind him, and the sun gave Banner Road no more shade now—it was noon. One of his eyes still imperfectly opened, and the new lump blossoming on his forehead
for his mother’s kiss, Jack raised his voice and sang. All Banner could hear him and know who he was.

“
Bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves!
We shall come rejoicing,
Bringing in the sheaves!
”

About the Author

One of America’s most admired authors, Eudora Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi, which is still her home. She was educated locally and at Mississippi State College for Women, the University of Wisconsin, and the Columbia University Graduate School of Business. She is the author of, among many other books,
The Robber Bridegroom, Delta Wedding, The Ponder Heart, The Eye of the Story, and The Optimist’s Daughter
.