34 



THE COUNTRY BOY 



were open but were not focused on any one 

 particular thing. They were blank and ex- 

 pressionless, but his body was still warm. I 

 sat against the big round back that had 



carried me after the sheep so many dark nights 

 and I thought of the picnics we had gone to, 

 and I fondled the mane I used to braid for the 

 gala occasions. I could see the faint scars of 

 the collar and tugs tliat had been left when 



