the three children went to the local church to hear the traveling preacher on sundays , and they went to the little school to learn their letters and their numbers with the children of the other small fanners ; while essie also made sure they knew the mysteries of the piskies , which were the most important mysteries there were : redheaded men , with eyes and clothes as green as a river and turned-up noses , funny , squinting men who would , if they got a mind to , turn you and twist you and lead you out of your way , unless you had salt in your pocket , or a little bread .