s high and
shrill, reminding Ken of an angry bird's. Maria looked at him
wonderingly, and he shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't ask me what she's up to. She's pulled some corkers in her time."

Granny Wicks looked over the gathering crowd. Then she pointed a bony
arm at the glowing comet. "You know what it means," she exclaimed
shrilly. "You feel it in your bones, and your hearts quiver with fear.
There's death in the sky, and an omen to all the inhabitants of the
Earth that destruction awaits men."

She stopped and glared. The laughter that had first greeted her gave
way to uneasiness as people glanced at their neighbors, then hastily at
the comet, and back to Granny Wicks. Some began moving away in
discomfort.

"You're scared to listen, eh?" Granny shrilled at them. "You're afraid
to know what's in store! Turn your backs then! Close your ears! You
can't change the signs in the heavens!"

A movement in the crowd caught Ken's eye. He saw the stout figure of
Sheriff Johnson moving toward the steps. The law officer stepped out in
front and approached Granny Wicks.

"Come on now, Granny," said Sheriff Johnson. "You wouldn't want to scare
folks out of a good night's sleep, would you?"

"You let me alone, Sam Johnson! I'm saying what I have to say, and
nobody's going to stop me. Listen to me, all of you! There's death in
Mayfield in the winter that's coming, and spring won't see one man in
ten left alive. Remember what I say. The stars have sent their
messenger...."

"Okay, Granny, let's go," said the Sheriff. "You've said your piece and
scared the daylights out of everybody. You'd better be getting on out to
your place before it gets dark. The comet won't light things up all
night. How's your supply of wood and coal for the winter, Granny? The
boys been getting it in for you?"

"I got plenty, Sam Johnson. More'n I'll need for this winter. Come
spring, I won't be around to be needing anything else from anybody.
Neither will you!"

The Sheriff watched as the old woman climbed to her wagon seat again.
Those standing nearby helped her gently. She took the reins and snapped
them at the weary horse.

"Take care of yourself, Granny!" someone called.

Sheriff Johnson stood silently on the steps until the wagon passed out
of sight around the corner of the block. Then he moved slowly by Ken and
Maria. He smiled grimly at Ken.

"It's bad enough to have that thing hanging up there in the sky without
that kind of talk." H