“It’s not so long. The time will pass before you know it. And if we go now, I’ll always think it was because you didn’t have any faith in me. Also, it occurred to me that maybe you’re afraid this place has had a bad effect on me, and I’d like to prove to you that it isn’t true.”

“Did Stephanie tell you that?”

“Stephanie? No, I don’t talk much to her anymore, Mama. I realize now that what happened between me and her was just a part of growing up. I know myself a lot better now and I’m posi­tive that nothing like that will ever happen again. Mama, won’t you please agree to stay for just a few more months?”

I hesitated. “I’ll think about it,” I said finally. “I’ll talk to your father.” We both knew that didn’t mean anything. If Duff could sway me, the battle was won. Furthermore Jack no longer wanted to leave either, if he ever did.

“All right, Mama,” Duff said solemnly. “I know you’ll do what’s best for me.”

I held his hand for a moment and was struck by how old and tired-­looking he seemed. I thought then that maybe it was the light that made his face so long and gaunt and caused the shadows under his eyes.

Well, I went downstairs, God help me, and told Jack I had decided that we ought to stay at the farm for one school semester. I said that by the end of that time the real estate man ought to be able to find the Shaffers another place comparable to our own. Jack nodded agreement and hardly looked up from his writing.

7

Chapter Seven

Registration for the Cainesville schools took place during the first week of September. After I had seen Franny through the enrollment procedure at her school, I went on to the high school with Duff.

There was no real need for me to do it, but I tagged along anyway for his interview with his counselor, a Mr. Harvey Willis. Duff had decided he wanted to study as much American history as possible, and luckily there were three senior courses available, including one taught by a man who was supposed to be particularly well informed about events in Ashland County.

“Has your son been held back in school because of illness?” Mr. Willis asked when Duff had gone off to the gym for his physical examination.

“Not at all,” I replied. “You can see on his transcript that he won’t be seventeen for another two months.”

“By George, that’s right.” Mr. Willis chuckled. “He looks much older. When he walked in here, I thought he was in his mid-­twenties at least.”

“And still in high school?”