И проиграли бой
Chapter 6
Londonasked,"How’dyoucomeoutonthatthingyouwentfor?Ididn’ttelltheboys,caseitdidn’tcomeoff."
"Gotit."Macturnedtothesevenmen."Listen,"hesaid."Aguy’sloanedusfiveacresfortheguystocampon.It’sprivateproperty,sonobodybutthehealthpeoplecankickusoff.Wegotadoctorcomingdowntotakecareofthat."Thecommitteemensetupstraight,grinningwithenthusiasm.Maccontinued,"NowI’vepromisedthisfarmerthatthemen’dpickhiscropfornothing.Itwon’ttake’emlong.There’splentyofwater.It’sagoodcentrallocation,too."
Oneofthemenstoodupexcitedly."CanIgotelltheguysoutside,London?"
"Sure,goahead.Whereisthisplace,Doc?Wecanhaveourbigmeetin’theretomorrow."
"It’sAnderson’sorchard,alittlewayoutoftown."Threeofthecommitteemenbrokeforthedoor,totellthenews.Outsidetherewasfirstasilence,andthenarollofvoices,notshouting,buttalkingexcitedly;andtherollspreadoutandgrewlouder,untiltheairwasfullofit.
Jimasked,"WhathappenedtooldDan?"
Londonraisedhishead."Theywantedtotakehimtoahospital.Hewouldn’tdonogoodinahospital.Wegotadoctortosethiship.He’sdowntherowalittle.Coupleofgoodwomentakin’careofthepooroldbum.He’shavin’afinetime.Couldn’tget’imoutofherenow.Hejustgiveseverybodyhell,womenandall."
Macasked,"Haveyouheardfromtheownersyet?"
