И проиграли бой

           Well,thecopssentadicktoquestionthekidsontheblock,andacopcameandtalkedtomymother.Finallytheysaidthey’dkeeptheireyesopen.Andthatwasall.Weneverheardofheragain,ever."

           Harrystabbedthedeskandbrokehispencilpoint."Wasshegoingaroundwithanyolderboysshemight’verunoffwith?"

           "Idon’tknow.Thegirlssaidnot,andtheywouldhaveknown."

           "Buthaven’tyouanideaofwhatmighthavehappenedtoher?"

           "No.Shejustdisappearedoneday,justdroppedoutofsight.ThesamethinghappenedtoBerthaRileytwoyearslater—justdroppedout."

           Jimfeltwithhishandalongthelineofhisjaw."Itmighthavebeenmyimagination,butitseemedtomethatmymotherwasquietereventhanbefore.Shemovedkindoflikeamachine,andshehardlyeversaidanything.Hereyesgotakindofadeadlook,too.Butitmademyoldmanmad.Hehadtofighteverythingwithhisfists.HewenttoworkandbeathelloutoftheforemanattheMonelpackinghouse.Thenhedidninetydaysforassault."

           Harrystaredoutthewindow.Suddenlyheputdownhispencilandstoodup."Comeon!"hesaid."I’mgoingtotakeyoudowntothehouseandgetridofyou.I’vegottogetthatreportout.I’lldoitwhenIgetback."

           Jimwalkedtotheradiatorandpickedofftwopairsofdampsocks.Herolledthemupandputtheminhispaperbag."I’lldrythemdownattheotherplace,"hesaid.