We had a campfire council that night. That’s when Johnny builds up a big bonfire, an we get to roast veggies. Other kids roast hot dogs, I think, but we’re vegetable-arian. After that, the grown-ups all talk about stuff. And decide stuff. Usually then, me ‘n Jeremiah ‘n Opal run off, but today they told us we better stay.

“Nice hair, Burr,” Eddie said an rubbed his hand on my head.
“Thanks!” I beamed. Rye glared at him.

They asked Eddie if he though public school was a bad thing for us, seein’ how he’s been in it longest. He said, learnin’s good, but prolly if there was some other way, it might be better.

Johnny asked what we thought. No one’s ever asked us kids to talk at council, so I felt real good.
“Well,” I said, “I been thinking we don’t fit in too good with the rest of ‘em, with their blue jeans ‘n all…”
“Would you rather be taught here?” Johnny asked.

So it got decided that Lillyann would teach us. I dunno how good a teach she is, but we’ll find out, I s’pose.

Then we really did get to play.