© Copyright 2000 by James David Pearce
DON'T STOP ME NOW
Elmo always had liked to talk. As he gained a few years and a little self-confidence, he began to enjoy it even more. As the years mounted, he reached a point where he would go out of his way to fill other folks' ears with gleanings from his wide field of knowledge.
He tried not to be overbearing about it, but sometimes he ran into people who were so polite and such good listeners that he became carried away and didn't realize when it was time to quit. That was the way it was one day when he was talking to Orphelia, the much younger sister of Thelma Christine.
Orphelia, who was of a religious bent and well qualified herself to talk on that subject, was also a good listener.
As time ticked on, the subject began to drift from religion more into the direction of the world at large, and here Elmo was in his element.
The conversation moved from the stories of the Bible to World War II, the troubles in Ireland and the Civil War situation in Hertford County. Elmo steadily grew more wordy and colorful in his commentary until after a while nobody was saying anything but him.
Suddenly becoming aware of what he was doing, he turned to Orphelia to apologize.
He noticed her eyes were glazed, and her head seemed to be nodding slightly.
"Orphelia," said Elmo. "I'm so sorry. I've been talking too much. I know I've been boring you out of your skull."
Orphelia stopped nodding and blinked, trying to clear the glaze from her eyes.
"Oh, no, Elmo, this has been so interesting. I have really enjoyed it and I feel like I'm learning so much. Please keep on. You really do seem to know a lot of history."
So Elmo was opening his mouth getting ready to expound again, when Orphelia leaned over and touched him gently on the arm.
"But, Elmo," she said, "if you do reach a good stopping place – please stop."
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