At some point it was decided that the bed space had run out, and something had to be done about my sleeping arrangements. My father asked me if I would be afraid to sleep in the shed just outside the house, where I was told sometimes David slept, in the manner of a camp-out. Well, there was no way I would admit to being afraid of the dark, even though inwardly I was trying to invent some reason why that would be impossible. So I simply said that it surely sounded like fun.
The shed seemed large enough, and on one side a bed frame had been built of two-by-fours, and a mattress had been laid on. My father had a rather weak powered flashlight, which gave a general view of the interior, without much detail.
He left, saying he would be right back, and taking off my shoes, I lay on the bed, pulling over me a light blanket, which I found in the dark.
Soon he came back, and placed over me the heaviest blanket I had ever felt. It had a coarse feel to it and I assumed it was some kind of rug. It seemed to make me feel warm enough and as I listened to a symphony of night sounds from the woods outside, I sank into a deep and peaceful sleep.

The three of us understood our visit was to be for a week. We were shy of course, being in a strange home, and scarcely knowing the family we found ourselves with. My father didn’t seem unkind, but simply showed no interest in any of us. I believe he, as well as we, felt uneasy, not finding the words to speak to one another.
Ruby engaged us in light conversation, asking about our experience in school,and wanting to know which church we attended. Upon learning that our limited attendance at any church, consisted of holiday escorts by the good people of the Salvation Army,at Christmastime and Easter, at which time we would be given apples and oranges, and multi-colored sugar coated gum drops, she quickly dropped the subject.
After that, most of her attention was directed toward Rosemary, since she was a teen-ager and could hold a conversation.
When it was bed-time, my sisters were told they would share beds with the other girls. Rosemary chose little Virginia, since from the beginning she had been drawn to her sweetness and quiet manner. As far back as I can remember she had the maternal instinct, which had even been shown in her care of me, when our mother was working. She was content now to help with this little one.
Barbara took an instant liking to Elaine, who was six years old, with fiery red hair. She volunteered to sleep with her, and I knew this little girl was going to have a great time, for Barbara was the family story teller, and Elaine would soon hear of monsters in the closet, knights on white horses, or fairies on the bed stead.

My father drove the truck around back of the house and parked. The driveway had been created by repeatedly driving over the same spots, until eventually twin depressions had been formed to fit the tires.
We climbed wooden steps to reach the back door, which swung open at our approach, to reveal Ruby, whose look was neither friendly nor hostile. Wiping her hands on her full- front apron, she held out her hand to touch each of us in greeting, and told us all, dinner
would soon be ready, and we were to make ourselves at home.
Behind her were my six half brothers and sisters,David,Elaine,Keith, Kenneth, Maxine and Virginia. ( Virginia was a beautiful two year old with long auburn hair and a face full of lovely features. When she was four, she died of pneumonia)
We all went through a dining room, into the front room, which boasted a large fireplace,with a half burned log, waiting to be relit in the evening, with the help of paper trash which I suppose had been placed for that purpose.
There was no carpet on the floor, but the bare boards looked as if they had been planed, not quite smooth, but good enough that one could walk barefoot without picking up splinters, as all the children were proving.
Without announcement, my father reached into his coat pocket, and brought out the brown bag he had gotten at the store on the way out. As he held it out, one of the taller kids made a grab, causing the bag to rip, spilling hard-tack candy all over the floor.
In an instant they were all down on hands and knees, arms straight out, dragging as much candy as each could toward themselves. My sisters and I simply watched the contest, without joining in. Ruby came in, stooped down, picking up four pieces, which she shared with my father. Then looking at the three of us asked,” Don’t you children like candy?”