Carl showed him how to sit, on the ground with the puddle between his legs. We all stood around. In a circle.
Carl told him to get out his pocket knife. "Now I'll show you how quick I am. I bet I can take a rag and wipe all the water out of that mudhole before you can jab my hands with your knife."
"Bet you can't."
We all moved in closer. We could see Nellie upside down in the puddle with the pines around him like big green arms. It was March. The wind was moving in the treetops.
Carl took out a handkerchief and laid it down at the edge of the puddle between Nellie's feet. "OK, I'm gonna grab my rag and wipe up the water. You ready?"