Vardaman's Fish and Vernon's Porch — As I Lay Dying

I aim to show it to ma, Vardaman says, dragging a fish nigh long as he is up the hill. He looks toward the door. Cash is knocking and hammering at the boards inside. Company in there, he says. Anse never turns around. You clean that fish. The fish flops in the dust, gap-mouthed, hiding like it was ashamed of being dead, like it was in a hurry to get back hid again. Vardaman cusses it like a grown man and hauls it around the house. Nobody lets him bring his gift to the bed.

Vernon Tull watches from the porch, saying what neighbors say: they'll get back in plenty of time, it means three dollars, the Lord giveth. He remembers his own mammy, who worked seventy years, put on a lace nightgown she had saved forty-five years, lay down, and said I'm tired. Anse rubs his knees and acts surprised every time he looks in and finds Addie still in bed, Dewey Dell still a-fanning. Vernon offers corn. Cash says he won't get to the barn this week. Vernon helps because he has helped so long he can't quit now.

In the wagon going home, the talk changes. Kate says Anse will get another one before cotton-picking. Eula jokes about who can marry now. Cora pities the poor little tyke. Kate ends on the cakes the town lady ought to taken. Rain is fixing to come. Anse is about to take the microphone and blame the road. What happens when the father of the house starts talking and the child's question still has no answer?