Books: Education, Respectability

A LITTLE CLOWN LOST—Barry Benefield—Century Co. ($2).

Out of the rain, into the life of Shep Tideboy, came Phoebe Dibble & her father, Hooker Dibble, purveyor of herbs. During the night old Hooker passed on, was buried by a solemn little processional. Phoebe stayed on at the Louisiana homestead of the Tideboys until Shep's guardian, Cesar Honfleur, persuaded Shep to acquire an education, respectability. Shep & Phoebe were married. In an incredibly short time Shep mastered Latin, went to the University of Texas, won a fellowship. But Phoebe, tiring of trying to learn out...