he saw Alexander ahead of him, on his way home from school. 'Wait' he was crying out. 'Wait for me!' The Ebbetts children, some distance away, turned and called something back. Macon could't hear the words, but the voices were high and cruel. Alexander started running, clumsy in his heavy shoes. Behind him a group of older children also started calling out and laughing. Alexander turned and looked at them. His face was somehow smaller than usual.