Nellie he's settin in the corner by the window. A sunbeam streams in off his shiny black hair the dust floats all around his head. I say Nellie come on we'll fetch Paw's drinking water now. He makes a face like he eat something sour. Just don't let him catch you making that face I tell him. I pick up Paw's bucket in the kitchen dump the old water on the ground when we go out in the yard. The chickens scatter they are the dumbest things and Nellie he runs after'em. He's always running he can almost catch me even though he's only ten. Nelson's lean as a hungry dog Momma always says. But I'd rather try to take a bone away from the hungry dog than take it away from Nellie. Stop runnin them chickens Nellie we got to go. We pass by the well. Let's say it today Nellie says. Sure, they ain't nobody here but us chickens. He laughs then we go
Well water well water
Good enough for us
But bring it from the spring
For the mean old cuss
Paw lately figured out he had to drink different water from the rest of us. So he'll stay pure, like a mountain spring. We cross the yard fast cause it's hot in the sun the woods is much cooler. The path is narrow Nellie has to follow me on it. We pass through the glade. That is a clearing in the woods the daisies grow there in the long grass and in June and July the blackberries and raspberries turn dark as Paw's eyes. Then we're under the trees again and come to the spring at the foot of a bank covered with brown pine needles. The spring's under a wide flat shingled board and me and Nellie lift it up and lay it back on the bank. I dip the bucket in the spring and fill it about three quarter full so I can carry it without spilling. Then we cover it again. I wipe off my hands. Nellie he stands there with his thumb and first finger resting on both corners of his lips. That's how he always looks when he's fishin up something. Like he has to draw the words out of his mouth gentle and easy. Lessee he says. He stoops and nudges the water bucket closer to the spring then he sits down on the board and starts taking off his shoes. What y'doin Nellie? He smiles a tiny little smile, like a girl that knows a secret. Then he lifts up his foot and puts it right in Paw's drinking water. I stare and finally he looks up at me and we both bust out laughing. Here, says Nellie, come over and rub my feet clean and then I'll do yourn. So we take turns. When he does mine he rubs real good, even in between all my toes. Feels good don't it he says. I had to admit it was the first time I ever liked washing up. Reckon its fit for him now I say. Uh huh he says its fit for him. That Nellie. He's a sly one.
Fiction: Holier
Than Thou | Main Map
Theory: Origins of this episode
Initial release: October 19, 1995
Last update: June 28, 1996