"Will you read one to me?" Precious asked excitedly. Her minuscule hand released the old man's finger and reached for a nineteen fifty-seven first edition of The Cat in the Hat. The tiny Miss Tatts pulled the book out and held it up. "Will you?"
"I would be delighted to read this book to you." Clint took the slim volume from Precious and blew the dust from its trembling top edge.
As Precious studied the old man, the smooth, milky skin of her forehead slightly curdled in thought. "How can you read a book that's shaking like that?"
"Precious!" Piercely snapped.
"You have shrewdly spotted one of my problems, Precious."
"What's soodly?"
"It means you're smart. Do you know what we should do when we have a problem?"
Precious thought for a moment. "Fix it!"
"Yes, we could. Would it be better to sit and cry in defeat?"
"That won't fix it!" Everyone in the congested living room listened to their exchange with silent amusement.
"That's right! How old are you?" Precious held up four fingers. "Well, Little Miss, you already know something that many people much older than you haven't yet learned: If you have a problem, solve it." Precious flashed a radiant smile. "Would you like to see how I fixed my shaking book problem?"
"Yes!"
"Mick, you can bring this tot's parents up to speed on our current events and especially tell them about the bravery of Tiffany," Mr. Indigence suggested. He ushered Precious into the kitchen where Miss Perm was preparing drinks and snacks for the cabin's visitors. "Sara, have you met Precious?"
"No, but I saw her on TV. Hello, Precious, I'm Sara."
"Hi! Are you Clint's wife?"
"Don't give her any ideas, Kid!"Clint barked in mock gruffness. Precious giggled hysterically. Mr. Indigence demonstrated his homemade book holder to his new apprentice. He pushed the pinned book to the center of the table, sat in the facing chair, and propped himself on his folded arms. Precious agilely climbed onto the table and sat cross-legged by Clint's left elbow, so she could clearly see the angled book. The old man read the first two pages aloud. He patiently showed the tyke how to press the right clothespin and slide a page out, over, and under the pressed left pin. He allowed Precious to carefully operate the clever contraption and turn the subsequent pages after he read them. Jasmine and Piercely came into the kitchen and walked over to the sink where Miss Jade introduced Mrs. Nerdy to Sara. "Hurry, Clint! Read
