said Phoebe Lu. She was dressed in trousers and a shirt that had been borrowed from one of Mr. Morganfield’s grandsons. “You’ll pass for a boy, from a distance,” said Granny Delphine. “Let’s hope that’s as close as it gets,” said Mr. Miller. “I wouldn’t like to face Maize Ledbetter when she loses her temper.” “I’m not afraid of her,” said Phoebe. “You should be,” said Granny Delphine grimly, “like a kitten should be afraid of a steamroller.” She mussed up Phoebe’s hair and stepped back to take another look. “Now remember, Morganfield and I will wait with you, but when the Ledbetters are in sight we will have to retreat to the square. That was the agreement, and it was hard enough even to get Maize to that point. You must stand where you are until all the Ledbetters get close enough for Bea to call up her little stripy friends. Once they’ve surrounded the Ledbetters you’d better turn and run as fast as you can. Are you sure you can do it?” Phoebe nodded, and Granny Delphine turned to Bea.
