Chapter 9
On Sunday afternoon, a month after Carl Linstrum's arrival, he
rode with Emil up into the French country to attend a Catholic
fair. He sat for most of the afternoon in the basement of the
church, where the fair was held, talking to Marie Shabata, or
strolled about the gravel terrace, thrown up on the hillside in
front of the basement doors, where the French boys were jumping and
wrestling and throwing the discus. Some of the boys were in their
white baseball suits; they had just come up from a Sunday practice
game down in the ballgrounds. Amedee, the newly married, Emil's
best friend, was their pitcher, renowned among the country towns
for his dash and skill. Amedee was a little fellow, a year younger
than Emil and much more boyish in appearance; very lithe and active
