“I kind of figured that. Only you think we’re whipped now.”

The principal looked at the window again. He tried to answer, but he was tired of lying and posing, and he could not be false in these moments.

“I thought so at first, too,” Joey said. “Right from the beginning I didn’t believe it would work. But then I changed my mind. Because, you know why? I saw people like you and Finley Mead and Mr. McDaniel and Miss Angoff and the kids in the school here and all over town, and I saw all of you believing in us and in what was right, and willing to help—I wish I could say this. I wish I knew how.”

“Three minutes.”

“Maybe it’s this,” Joey said, moving toward the door. “I used to think they were the white people”—he gestured toward the window—“but, I found out that wasn’t true. How many are there outside now? Thirty? Forty? Forty people, in a town of sixteen thousand. You see what I mean? I was prejudiced, Mr. Paton, because I judged the whole white race by them—a sick little bunch of hateful people. I said, They’ll never change; and I was right about that, anyway. They won’t. We’ll always have them around. We always have—and not just here, but everywhere. There’s a couple on the Hill. All the time, they got to be against something or against somebody, or they aren’t happy. I don’t know why. But I know this: they’re not the people, Mr. Paton. The rest of the folks who don’t want us, with them it’s different. Just like me, they been thinking a certain way all their lives, and it isn’t easy for them to switch around; but they will. Just give them a little time. They will.”

“Two minutes!”

“Never mind the phone, Mr. Paton. I think the sheriff’s going to be a little late.”

“Joey—” Harley Paton’s throat was dry. “Joey, I’m afraid you’ve embarrassed me. I’m the one who should have been telling you these things.”

“It doesn’t matter, sir. We both know they’re true, and that’s what’s important.” Joey unlocked the door.

The principal walked over hurriedly. “Come with me,” he said. “My car is in the back. I’ll drive you to Farragut, and we can at least give you protection until this—”

“No,” Joey said. “That’s what that Adam Cramer hopes we’ll do. He’s in trouble and this whole thing has got to go right for him or he’s through in Caxton.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Spoil things for him a little.”

“Don’t be foolish. If that stupid Parkhouse doesn’t come, I can get Harmer in Farragut. They wouldn’t dare to break into the school!”