"She's tired," he said, looking at me again. "She's exhausted, matter of fact. Remember the illness I described?"
"Yes. But where is she?"
"She's in bed," he replied, as if it were very obvious. "I've explained about you," he added.
I nodded. "I don't want to be any burden.I'll help you with her, with anything."
"That's nice," he said, looking terribly sad.
"How long have you had that life-size doll of her?"
now.
- "Forever, it seems." he told me. "We're an act We're inseparable."
"I never knew you were such a good
ventriloquist," I said.
"I'm not." he replied. "Are you hungry? I
usually eat something before I set out. I have crazy hours. April. I don't live like most people. Sometimes. I drive all night and sleep all day until show time,I'll do that tonight. You can fix the bunk above the cab there the way you did when you were just a little girl," he said. smiling. "Until we decide what you should
do, that is."
"I'd like to help you with your act, too, and be
with you. Uncle Palaver. I can be your assistant. I'd
like to be on the road. I have no place to call home
anymore."
"Oh. I don't know about that," he said. "A girl
your age on the road constantly. I don't know." He
shook his head.
"You're the only one I have now," I whined.
"Please. If you don't help me, I don't know where I'll
go or what I'll do."
He thought a moment and gently nodded.
"Okay, we'll see," he said, "We'll see. Hungry?" "A little. but I'm watching my diet."
"Well. I don't have much. I'm not the cook your
mother was. I was just going to have some tuna fish
on a bun and a cup of coffee," he said.
"I'll fix it for you," I offered quickly, and went
to the refrigerator.