Free Hoggee by Anna Myers Page B

would be a day of contests. He drew in a deep breath and sat up.
    â€œGood morning, sir,” Jack said to Cyrus, and Howard saw him jump to his feet. “I’ll be glad to help you with the chores.”
    Howard smiled, knowing what would come next.
    â€œDon’t want help,” Cyrus said, and he picked up the pitchfork. “I’m paid to take care of the mules. You’re paid for driving them. I don’t try to drive them. You don’t try to tend them.”
    Howard thought of crawling back under the straw, but Jack had already seen him. Jack came to Molly’s stall. “I’ve got some bread and dried apples, want some?”
    â€œNo, you’ll need your food. I’ll eat at Cyrus’s house when he finishes his chores.”
    â€œRight, I forgot. I’ll eat later, too. I’ve got a new sling. Let’s go and try it out.”
    Howard sighed. He had no interest in using Jack’s new sling, but he took his haversack from the nail. “I’ll take my book and paper, and go from out there up to breakfast.”
    Outside, the new March morning was crisp, and Howard pulled his coat closed. Jack showed his sling. “Isn’t this something?” He held out the leather strap and pointed at the pocket where two leather strings held a small rock. “Will, the tanner, made it. I worked for him four days to pay for it. Watch this,” he said. “See that fence post?” He pointed toward a post several feet away. “I can hit it.” He began to swing the strap in a wide circle above his head, then pulled one of the strings, and a rock flew across the field, striking the post. “It’s how David killed the giant, you know, in the Bible.”
    Howard did know about David. He knew that it had been David, not his older brothers, who brought down Goliath. He also knew that Jack was going to insist that Howard now try to hit the post. “You’re good with that,” he said. “I guess you’ve practiced a lot.”
    â€œSome,” said Jack, “but it’s pretty easy.” He walked toward the post. Howard followed. Jack bent to get his rock. “Here,” he slipped the rock back into the pocket, walked back a ways from the post, and handed the sling to Howard. “Make it circle above your head. Pull the string when it’s lined up with the post.”
    Howard began to circle the strap above his head. He watched the post and pulled the release string at what he thought might be the right time. The rock missed the post by several feet.
    â€œNot bad for the first time,” yelled Jack, and he ran to get the rock. “Here,” he said, handing the rock to Howard. “Let’s put it back in so you can try again.” He was smiling. “When you’re better, we can have a competition.” He stood back, waiting for Howard to swing.
    For just a minute Howard hesitated, but he knew he would work to learn the sling. It was always this way—Jack smiling, Howard dreading. Howard felt powerless when it came to his brother. He would, he supposed, follow always behind Jack, always losing and always, always trying again.
    He was still swinging the sling, still trying to hit the post with the rock when old Cyrus came out of the barn. “I’ve got to go,” Howard said, and he handed the sling to his brother.
    â€œWe’ll practice some more later,” Jack said, and of course Howard nodded.
    â€œThat lad’s your brother, aye?”
    â€œYes.” Howard did not add any comments. He did not feel like talking about Jack.
    â€œHe’s a likely lad, I’d say. Should make his way well in the world.”
    â€œYes,” Howard said again. His feet began to feel very heavy.
    Cyrus stopped, looked up at the sky, then turned his gaze to look around at the trees. “Might say spring is here. The other lads will be showing up in the next few days.”
    â€œI’ll have