Mick put the picture ba the closet shelf. None of them were any good much. The people didnt have fingers and some of the arms were lohan the legs. The class had been fun, though. But she had just drawn whatever came into her head without reason—and in her heart it didnt give her he
same feeling that music did. Nothing was really as good as music.
Mielt down on the floor and quickly lifted the top of the big hatbox. Inside was a cracked ukulele strung with two violin strings, a guitar string and a banj. The cra the back of the ukulele had beely mended with stig plaster and the round hole in the middle was covered by a piece of wood. The bridge of a violin held up the strings at the end and some sound-holes had been carved oher side.
Mick was making herself a violin. She held the violin in her lap. She had the feeling she had never really looked at it before. Some time ago she made Bubber a little play mandolin out of a cigar box with rubber bands, and that put the idea into her head. Sihat she had hunted all over everywhere for the different parts and added a little to the job every day. It seemed to her she had done everything except use her head.
Bill, this dont look like any real violin I ever saw. He was still reading—Yeah—?』
It just dont lht. It just dont------』
She had plao tuhe fiddle that day by screwing the pegs. But since she had suddenly realized how all the work had turned out she didnt want to look at it. Slowly she plucked oring after ahey all made the same little hollow-sounding ping.
How anyway will I ever get a bow? Are you sure they have to be made out of just horses hair? Yeah, said Bill impatiently.
Nothing like thin wire or human hair strung on a limber stick would do?』
Bill rubbed his feet against each other and didnt answer.
Anger made beads of sweat e out on her forehead.
Her voice was hoarse. Its not even a bad violin. Its onlya cross between a mandolin and a ukulele. And I hatethem. I hate them------』
Bill turned around.
Its all turned out wrong. It wont do. Its no good. Tipe down, said Bill. Are you just carrying on about that old broken ukulele youve been fooling with? I could have told you at first it was crazy to think you could make any violin. Thats ohing you dont sit down and make —you got to buy them. I
thought anybody would know a thing like that. But I figured it wouldnt hurt yon if you found out for yourself.』
Sometimes she hated Bill more than anyone else in the world.
He was differeirely from what he used to be. She started to slam the violin down on the floor and stomp on it, but instead she put it back roughly into the hatbox. The tears were hot in her eyes as fire. She gave the box a kid ran from the room without looking at Bill.
As she was dodging through the hall to get to the back yard she ran into her Mama.
Whats the matter with you? What have you been into now?』
Mick tried to jerk loose, but her Mama held on to her arm.
Sullenly she wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand. Her Mama had been i and she wore her apron and house-shoes. As usual she looked as though she had a lot on her mind and didnt have time to ask her any more questions.
Mr. Ja has brought his two sisters to dinner and there wo just enough chairs, so today youre to eat i with Bubber.』
That*s hunky-dory with me, Mick said.
Her Mama let her go ao take off her apron. From