A Little Piece of Ground (28 page)

But Hopper's my friend, he told himself. I've got him now.

Then there was Hopper's ground, spoiled by the enemy. That was enough to lower anyone's heart. But he wouldn't let it. Not for long. He'd go back soon, when his leg was better, and he'd start again, he and Hopper, and they'd bring in the other boys, and make the place theirs again, and play soccer, and play, and play.

We'll get through all right, he told himself, waving at the boy on the crest of the scaffold. We'll survive.