And Did Those Feet ... by Ted Dawe Page A

super-sniffy.
    Straight after that, as if thrilled to get the last word on the matter she walked back to the Palace of Wisdom, no doubt to make some sort of explanation.
    “How come you never talk?” I asked Ewan.
    He shrugged his shoulders and whispered, “Don’t want to.” Then with a neat sort of cowboy manoeuvre he leapt off the goat and we both walked back together.
    Back at the house we had to wait around for a while until all the little search parties had been called off. When Lara’sparents arrived, they came running over and gave her a big hug. She looked at me with an evil smile on her face. I could tell there was still payback happening. I was surprised though that no one was angry, and that no one got told off. I admired the adults for that. I knew it was tough holding back. They were sort of mellow. It must have been the mead.
    After this it was time for everyone to go back to their farms around the mountain. There were lots of hugs and handshakes going on. I noticed for the first time that out on the main road, a few cars going past slowed right down to check everything out. Locals I guess. People are a bit nosy out there in the country. When the last of them had driven off we went back inside and Iain and Jamie made Milo for everyone.
    Aunty Lorna asked me to help put Wee Jock down to sleep. I had never helped with little kids before. Didn’t know what to do, but it didn’t seem to matter. I was just an extra pair of hands while she did things with pins and nappies, tight little cardigans and fluffy trousers with feet-things sewn on the bottoms of the legs.
    “Did you enjoy the League meeting, Sandy?” she asked as she draped the baby over her shoulder.
    “Yeah, it was cool.”
    “What was the best part?”
    I was going to say the hide-and-go-seek or finding Lara but for some reason I said, “Hearing Ewan talk.”
    She laughed. She laughed easily. “That’s a good sign.”
    What did that mean? I wondered.
    She leaned over to place Wee Jock in the cot and then, as if reading my mind, said “It means that he accepts you. He doesn’t do that to many people, I can tell you. At school he is regarded as a mute. I had to go in one day and get him to talk in front of the principal, otherwise they wanted him sent to Taranaki Base hospital for tests.”
    “It must be hard not talking all the time. I know I couldn’t do it.”
    “He’s found other ways,” she said, and that was an end to the matter.

T HE M OUNTAIN
    IT was about this time that we had what farmers call a “cold snap”. I thought it was pretty cold already but this time there were a few days where the frost was not only all over the paddocks but halfway up the trees too. It was nearly impossible to get me out of bed. The cousins gathered around my bed trying to talk me out but it was no good.
    “Look guys,” I said, “I would love to join you but it’s just too cold. It can’t be done. Sorry.” I rolled over and went back to sleep within twenty-five seconds.
    Some time later, I heard the chug chug chug of the John Deere coming up to the house. The thought crossed my mind that milking must be over and maybe it was porridge time. Next thing I knew there was a sort of harness thing being attached to my ankle. I sat up and immediately saw that the window was open and dear old Uncle Frank had reached in and attached me to the end of the winch. He was all ready to use engine power to haul me out of my warm bed. Now I admit, I am not the fastest on the uptakeat times but I got this little scenario quick smart.
    “Okay, Uncle, okay!” I raised my hands like the captured bad guy in a western. “I’m going to give myself up. I’m coming without a fight.”
    I could see the line shortening outside as the electric motor kept wheeling away.
    Uncle Frank stood there for a moment wondering (I reckon) whether to play out his demonstration now he had got it set up. Just as I felt the first tug he kicked the lever and shut off the