John said Jim and he should drive over and check out the damage. He'd like to hear from Rudy if the sheriff investigated yet and had an idea how the fire started. Hal laid her fork on her plate as she added, “I really should go along to help Martha with the house cleaning.” “Gute idea. Amos said it will be a chore for her to get rid of the smoke smell in the whole house,” John said. “I can go along and help if that's all right. Three of us will get done faster than two,” Nora said. “How about you, Tootie? Want to go with us to clean the house.” “I don't do well in smoky places with my bad breathing.” Aunt Tootie put her hand over her mouth to cover a weak cough. “Besides, my legs are sore from the rooster bites. How about I stay here with the girls?” “Sounds gute to me,” Hal agreed. “They don't need to be in that smoke, either.” Later when John drove by Rudy Briskey's burnt cornfield, he shook his head. “What a waste is that.” “It is,” Jim agreed.
