И проиграли бой

           They’regoingtowanttogetus,bad.Iwantyoutogetout,soonasitgetsdark,getclearandgobacktotown."

           "WhyinhellshouldIdothat?"

           Mac’seyesslidoverJim’sfaceandwenttothegroundagain."WhenIcameouthere,IthoughtIwashellonwheels.You’reworthtenofme,Jim.Iknowthatnow.Ifanythinghappenedtome,there’splentyofguystotakemyplace,butyou’vegotageniusforthework.Wecan’tspareyou,Jim.Ifyouwastogetknockedoffinatwo-bitstrike—well,it’sbadeconomy."

           "Idon’tbelieveit,"saidJim."Ourguysaretobeused,notsaved.Icouldn’trunout.Y’saidyourselfthiswasapartofthewholething.It’slittle,butit’simportant."

           "Iwantyoutogo,Jim.Youcan’tfightwiththatarm.You’dbenodamngoodhere.Youcouldn’thelpatall."

           Jim’sfacewasrigid."Iwon’tgo,"hesaid."Imightbeofsomeusehere.Youprotectmeallthetime,Mac.AndsometimesIgetthefeelingyou’renotprotectingmefortheParty,butforyourself."

           Macreddenedwithanger."O.K.then.Getyourcanknockedoff.I’vetoldyouwhatIthink’sthebestthing.Bepig-headed,ifyouwant.Ican’tsitstill.I’mgoingout.Youdoanythingyoudamnplease."Hewentoutangrily.

           Jimlookedupatthebackwallofthetent.Hecouldseetheoutlineoftheredsunonthecanvas.Hishandstoleupandtouchedhishurtshoulder,andpresseditgently,allaround,inacirclethatnarrowedtothewound.Hewincedalittleashisexploringfingersnearedthehurt.Foralongtimehesatquietly.