he sat for a minute after shed disappeared downstairs , thinking about what else he could or should be doing , and didnt come up with any ideas . below the tire was a deep and dusty groove in the earth where the grass had long since given up trying to grow , and on the limb where the rope was tied , the bark had been rubbed away to show the branch 's white bone . i want to ask her , but i 'm afraid it will hurt her and make her angrier . go wash the mud pack off your face . 