amused by the girl’s way of speaking,the conductor said, “But you weren’t afraid to comein the bus.”“Nothing to be afraid of about that,” sheanswered.“Well, then, why not go to that stall over thereand have something to drink? Nothing to be afraidof about that either."“Oh, no, I couldn’t do that.”“Well, then, let me bring you a cold drink.”

The bus started, and again there were the samewonderful sights.The bus moved on. The memory of a dead cowhaunted her, dampening her enthusiasm. She nolonger wanted to look out the window.She sat thus, glued to her seat, until the busreached her village at three forty. She stood up andstretched herself. Then she turned to the conductorand said, “Well, sir, 1 hope to see you again.”“Okay, madam,” he answered her,

She laughed and jumped down from the bus.Then away she went, running straight for home.When she entered her house she found hermother awake and talking to one of Valli’s aunts,the one from South Street. This aunt was a realchatterbox, never closing her mouth once shestarted talking.

“So manythings in our midst and in the world outside. Howcan we possibly know about everything? And evenwhen we do know about something, we often can’tunderstand it completely, can we?”

Yes, you’re right,”

“Oh, yes!”