“No.”
He smiled.
“I was teaching you adults get lazy when something has been true for a long time.”
Eli laughed.
“Grandpa already taught me that.”
“Of course he did.”
The pond was restored before winter.
From the road, it looked almost unchanged.
Same low corner.
Same water.
Same fence.
But the northeastern bank was rebuilt and compacted.
The old danger zone was stable.
Cattle returned cautiously.
For two days they avoided the repaired section.
Then one cow walked to the edge.
Drank.
Another followed.
Warren watched from the fence.
“Animals trust it again.”
Eli smiled.
“So do you?”
“I trust the contractor.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Warren looked at him.
“Boy, you ask too many questions.”
Corrine asked Eli to bring his map to the library.