51�Թ�

I prayed he didn’t tell Karl and Perilee what a featherbrain their new neighbor was.

“And look! There’s one of Sis Crow’s nephews. That featherbrain owes Gum Baby some money.”

Insults used include “nincompoop,” “nitwit,” “sap,” “fool” and “featherbrain.”

Paul tried desperately to translate and the driver resisted taking advice from a Slip of a Lass or whatever the French is for Slip of a Lass, I’m sure the direct translation in any language is more or less “Featherbrain,” as it’s what I get called whenever I’m expected not to be able to do whatever it is—fly a plane, load a gun, make a bomb—fix a car—so we lost fifteen minutes arguing.

“It’s not headless—it’s a white cow with a black head, you little featherbrain!”