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The final George and Martha story--published in 1988--is called "The Surprise." 
 
Daffy George has fun with a hose; he can't help but spray Martha, while shouting, HERE COMES THE RAIN!

Martha is fed up; George offers only a half-apology. (By this point, these two must know that certain types of character reform are likely impossible.)

Martha goes off and has a "dark night of the soul"; she imposes the silent treatment, maybe for a few weeks. In this period of solitude, she continuously stumbles on funny stories, then realizes she can't share her discoveries with her friend. (Martha's solitude is mirrored in the art on this page; one lonely leaf falls from the sky, alone in a sea of white.)

Finally, having caved in, Martha skips off with her friend George. The two enjoy their reunion. Their happiness is mirrored in artwork; now, not one leaf, but many leaves, tumble down. No leaf is alone.

(In a coda, suggesting that tension and irony will live on, Marshall has Martha hiding behind a garage, with a hose. She may have reconciled with her friend, but--still--she will have her revenge.)

I wonder if James Marshall set part of this story in autumn because he knew he himself was dying. And I'm obsessed with Marshall's use of "the pathetic fallacy" -- the crafty positioning of the autumn leaves.

And that's what we're reading--here in Maplewood--today. How about you?

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