tions must seem as bulking and ominous as dangerous animals seen in the
shadows of a dark forest。 They were jerked about like puppets； having only the
vaguest notions why。 The thought brought her dangerously close to tears again；
and while she fought them off she leaned over； picked up the disabled glider；
and turned it over in her hands。
〃Your daddy was coaching the debate team； Danny。 Do you remember that？〃
〃Sure；〃 he said。 〃Arguments for fun； right？〃
〃Right。〃 She turned the glider over and over； looking at the trade name
（SPEEDOGLIDE） and the blue star decals on the wings； and found herself telling
the exact truth to her son。
〃There was a boy named George Hatfield that Daddy had to cut from the team。
That means he wasn't as good as some of the others。 George said your daddy cut
him because he didn't like him and not because he wasn't good enough。 Then
George did a bad thing。 I think you know about that。〃
〃Was he the one who put the holes in our bug's tires？〃
〃Yes； he was。 It was after school and your daddy caught him doing it。〃 Now she
hesitated again； but there was no question of evasion now； it was reduced to
tell the truth or tell a lie。
〃Your daddy 。。。 sometimes he does things he's sorry for later。 Sometimes he
doesn't think the way he should。 That doesn't happen very often； but sometimes
it does。〃
〃Did he hurt George Hatfield like the time I spilled all his papers？〃
Sometimes —
（Danny with his arm in a cast）
— he does things he's sorry for later。
Wendy blinked her eyes savagely hard； driving her tears all the way back。
〃Something like that； honey。 Your daddy hit George to make him st