Pearl inspected them.
And Wy moved the processed pods and hulls away from the work area.
For several hours, they worked together.
But even with the improved sheller, the crop was arriving faster than they could finish the entire preparation and preservation process.
By evening, Hazel's shoulders ached.
Pearl's hands were swollen.
And several baskets still waited beneath the covered porch.
Hazel stared at them.
Then looked toward the large drum sheller.
She felt frustration rising.
For weeks, she'd dreamed of getting the older machine running properly.
Now the harvest had arrived before the repair was finished.
Wy noticed.
He approached.
"Don't even think about using it until it's ready."
Hazel sighed.
"I know."
He looked toward the baskets.
Then said, "We can ask for help picking and sorting."
She stared at him.
"Who?"
Wy smiled.
"People who like eating peas."
Hazel laughed.
For a moment, she forgot how tired she was.
Then Pearl spoke from the doorway.
"Maybe we should have a work day."
Hazel looked toward her.
"A what?"
Pearl smiled.
"Invite a few neighbors. Everybody helps with the harvest. We feed them supper."
Wy nodded.
"That's how people used to do it."
Hazel considered the idea.
Then looked toward the baskets.
For the first time, she realized the machines didn't need to replace the people who helped with the work.
They needed to make that work manageable enough for people to share.
The following Saturday, seven neighbors arrived at the Combs farm.
Some brought baskets.
Others brought gloves, folding chairs, or food for lunch.
An older couple brought their two teenage grandsons, who volunteered to carry harvested pods from the garden to the sorting tables. A young mother arrived with her sister, both familiar with preserving vegetables but curious about the little wooden sheller everyone had been discussing.
Pearl welcomed them.
Hazel explained the work.
And Wy helped organize the heavier tasks.
By midmorning, the packing shed was full of conversation.
The small sheller turned steadily under Hazel's supervision. Neighbors sorted pods and checked the shelled peas, while others prepared the next batches. The work moved more smoothly than it had during the previous week because the tasks were divided clearly.
Pearl sat beside the table with a cup of tea.
She still helped.
But she no longer had to do everything.
Hazel noticed.
For a moment, she stood watching her grandmother laugh with the other women.
Then she smiled.