Excerpt from ‘The Case of the Dancing Cowboy’

Editor’s note: Below is an excerpt from the children’s book, “The Case of the Dancing Cowboy,” written by John R. Erickson and reprinted with permission via Newspapers in Education. To catch up on the story, read the previous excerpt in the e-paper edition of Monday, May 11 Chapter 8 (cont.)

He picked up his hat and the three of us started back to the house. On the way, Miss Viola looked down at me and said, “Has he always been this stubborn?”

Yes ma’am, always.

“I can’t believe that a grown man could be so silly about going to the doctor and getting a few little stitches.”

“It ain’t the stitches, Viola, it’s the drive into town. And I’ve got work to do.”

“Oh fiddle.” Inside the house, she made him sit down in the living room. “Now, you sit right there while I get some hot water and a wash cloth.”

“The thermocouple’s shot on the hot water heater.”

“What does that mean?” “You’ll have to boil your water on the stove.”

She blinked her eyes. “Oh. Kay. So we’ll boil water on the stove.”

“But don’t make it too hot.” She went into the kitchen. “Don’t be such a baby.”

“Well, it’s my cut, and my

cut says, ‘Don’t be throwing any scalding water on me.’”

“I’m trying to ignore you, Slim.” She got the water going on the stove and came back into the living room. “Now, we need a clean washcloth.”

“Out on the clothesline.” She disappeared out the front door and returned a moment later with two white washcloths and a towel. “Did you just do your laundry?”

“Two weeks ago.” She laughed. “Two weeks ago, and the clothes are still out on the line?”