И проиграли бой

           "Youmightgetcaught."

           "No,Iwon’t.I’llgointhroughtheorchards.Iwon’tevengetseen."HestaredpastLondon,atthebackofthetent.Londonswungaround.Thetentwallbelliedupfromthebottom,andSamwriggledin,andstoodup.Hewasmuddy,andhisclothesweretorn.Alongcutextendeddownhisleancheek.Hislipsweredrawnbackwithfatigue,andhiseyesweresunken.

           "Ion’ygotaminute,"hesaidsoftly."Jesus,whatajob!Yougotalotofguardsout.Ididn’twantnobodytoseeme.Somebody’ddouble-crossussure."

           "Youdoneitnice,"Macsaid."Weseenthefire."

           "Sure.Damnnearthewholehousegone.Butthatain’tit."HelookednervouslyatJim,sleepingonthemattress."I—gotcaught."

           "Th’hell!"

           "Yeah,theygrabbedmeandgotalookatme."

           "Yououghtn’ttobehere,"Londonsaidseverely.

           "Iknow.Iwantedtotellyou,though.Youain’tneverseenmeorheardofme.Ihadto—Ikickedhisbrainsout.Igottogonow.Iftheygetmeagain,Idon’twantnothing,see?I’mnuts,see.I’mscrewy.ItalkaboutGodtoldmetodoit,see?Iwantedtotellyou.Don’ttakenoriskforme.Idon’twantit."

           Londonwentovertohimandtookhishand."You’reagoodguy,Sam.Theydon’tmake’emnobetter.I’llseeyousometime."

           Machadhiseyeonthetent-flap.Hesaidveryquietly,overhisshoulder,"Ifyougettotown,forty-twoCenterAvenue.SayMabelsentyou.It’sonlyameal.Don’tgomorethanonce."