She lifted one bare arm and began to draw things in the air.

"Why did Uncle William have to die?
He wasn't old." Mrs.Fairfield began counting the stitches in threes.

"It just happened," she said in an absorbed voice.
"Does everybody have to die ?" asked Kezia.
"Everybody!" "Me ?" Kezia sounded fearfully incredulous.
"Some day, my darling." "But, grandma." Kezia waved her left leg and waggled the toes.

They felt sandy.

"What if I just won't ?" The old woman sighed again and drew a long thread from the ball.
"We're not asked, Kezia," she said sadly.