Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

And I stood there I was able to enjoy the night. Farther down in the grove I heard some katy-dids. The only way I can described their call is by saying that it sounds exactly like a vulgar noise we boys make with our mouths to show contempt for anyone and that can only be understood on hearing it. There were two calls; one was “Wee-wee”the other “wee-wee-wee”. I thought the latter was an answering call to the former. Perhaps both were made by the same insect but I liked to imagine one was saying “Katy-did-“and the other “Katy-didn’t” Of course the questioning went on all night, the questioner never seeming to be satisfied.

     Somewhere in the distance I heard the exasperating baying of a couple hounds. I have an unreasoning hatred of that kind of dog. I was undecided whether to proceed. I wanted to get to the Dutchman’s but had a dread of encountering anyone and I would have to pass two houses in my course. So I decided to