That was the most fair thing a grown-up ever said, and it made Alvin’s eyes fill up. “You keep that promise, Measure.”

“I’ll keep it or die, you can count on that.”

“I won’t forget, you know.” Alvin remembered the vow he had made to the Shining Man last night. “I know how to keep a promise, too.”

Measure laughed and pulled Alvin to him, hugged him right against his shoulder. “You’re as bad as Mama,” he said. “You just don’t let up.”

“I can’t help it,” said Alvin. “If I start believing you, then how’ll I know when to stop?”

“Never stop,” said Measure.

Calm rode up on his old mare about then, and Mama came out with the dinner basket, and everybody that was going, went. Papa took Alvin Junior out to the barn and in no time at all Alvin was helping notch the boards, and his pieces fit together just as good as Papa’s. Truth to tell they fit even better, cause Al could use his knack for this, couldn’t he? This altar was for everybody, so he could make the wood fit so snug that it wouldn’t ever come apart, not at the joints or nowhere. Alvin even thought of making Papa’s joints fit just as tight, but when he tried, he saw that Papa had something of a knack at this himself. The wood didn’t join together to make one continuous piece, like Alvin’s did—but it fit good enough, yes sir, so there wasn’t no need to fiddle.

Papa didn’t say much. Didn’t have to. They both knew Alvin Junior had a knack for making things fit right, just like his Papa did. By nightfall the whole altar was put together and stained. They left it to dry, and as they walked into the house Papa’s hand was firm on Alvin’s shoulder. They walked together just as smooth and easy as if they were both parts of the same body, as if Papa’s hand just growed there right out of Alvin’s neck. Alvin could feel the pulse in Papa’s fingers, and it was beating right in time with the blood pounding in his throat.

Mama was working by the fire when they came in. She turned and looked at them. “How is it?” she asked.

“It’s the smoothest box I ever seen,” said Alvin Junior.

“There wasn’t a single accident at the church today,” said Mama.

“Everything went real good here, too,” said Papa.