pupil

harelip.

In the fall of the year, peers ripen and rot on the trees in Bishop's backyard because the kids are not allowed to pick up his pees.

The teacher doesn't want to be bothered with her, because of her lisp. She finally just sat in whichever grade she had books for.

I prayed a silent prayer that i wouldn't be a slow learner and still be in sixth grade when i was sixteen. Frieda hardly spoke in class because of her harelip, but on our way to and from Bishop's well that week, she spoke like a blue jay.

We will have to carry it when it's cold and snowing and wade through mud when it rains.

I didn't know which one is Teddy, but he must be the stupidest boy in school, i figured. Probably ugly, too, with big feet and overalls that struck him halfway to his knees like all the other boys; and a dirty shirttail flapping out.

He was a shy, slightly built boy with dark curls that fell over his forehead, nearly hiding his solemn brown eyes. Teddy rarely smiled, and when he did, his face and eyes lit up like a freshly trimmed coal-oil lamp.

I was a homely, rough-and-tumble, towheaded tomboy., but he chose me for his best girl, anyway.