i rounded on him but he shook his head with an expression that threatened pain if i caused a scene . i yank off the streamers with a jerk of my hand , then unscrew the pink rubber horn . `` and it would be so hard carrying them if you 're sliding down a tree . '' his soldiers pulled back to protect him . he refused to wear a watch and claimed he never knew what day it was , and most folks believed him . for me , this was because i was holding on to my happy . 