И проиграли бой

           Jimsaid,"Listen,IthinkIhear——"Herantotheentrance."Comingback,"hecried."It’sdifferentnow.It’sspreadoutnow,notthesame."

           Macstoodbesidehim.Theroadwasfullofthereturningmen.Londonbrokeoutaheadandtrottedheavilytowardthem.Andwhenhecamenearenoughheyelled,"Getbackinthetent.Getbackinthetent."

           "What’shemean?"Jimasked.ButMacpushedhiminsidethetent,untiedthestringsanddroppedtheflaps.

           "Heknows,"Macsaid."Justkeepquietandlethimhandleit.Nomatterwhathappens,don’tgooutthere."

           Theyheardtherainoffootstepsontheground,andshoutingvoices.ThentheysawLondon’ssquatblackshadowonthecanvasandheardhimyell,"Nowyouguyscooloff."

           "We’llshow’imwho’syellowbastards!"

           Londoncried,"You’resorebecausewetoldyouoff.Nowyougoan’getadrinkan’cooldown.Youjustdonefine,butyouain’ta’gonnagetmyfriend.He’syourfriend,too.Itellyouhe’sbeenworkin’foryoutillhe’sdeadtired."

           MacandJim,inthetent,couldfeelthethrustchange,breakup,loseitselfinahundredcries."Weknow,London."

           "Sure,buthecalledusyellow."

           Mac’sbreathcameout,heavily."Thatwasclose,Jim.Jesus,thatwasclose."London’ssquareshadowstillstoodonthetentwall,butthemanyexcitedvoicesdriftedandlosttheirimpact.

           Londonstretchedthesubject."IfanyofyouguysthinkIgotcannedpeaches,youcancomeinandlook."