И проиграли бой

           "Yes,"saidDan,"theydidthat,allright.IguessImustbegettin’prettyold,kid.Idon’tgiveadamniftheydid—Ijustdon’tgiveadamn."

           Aheadtheycouldseethelow,whitewashedbuildingtheownerssetasideforthepickers—alowshednearlyfiftyyardslong,withadoorandalittlesquarewindoweverytenfeet.Throughsomeoftheopendoorslampsandcandlescouldbeseenburning.Somemensatinthedoorwaysandlookedoutatthedusk.Infrontofthelongbuildingstoodafaucetwhereaclotofmenandwomenhadgathered.Astheturnofeachcame,hecuppedhishandsunderthestreamandthrewwateronhisfaceandhairandrubbedhishandstogetherforamoment.Thewomencarriedcansandcookingpotstofillatthefaucet.Inandoutofthedarkdoorwayschildrenswarmed,restlessasrats.Atired,softconversationarosefromthegroup.Menandwomenwerecomingback,menfromtheorchard,womenfromthesortingandpackinghouse.Sobuiltthatitformedashortangleatthenorthendofthebuildingstoodtheorchard’sstore,brightlylightednow.Herefoodandworkclothesweresoldoncreditagainsttheworkingsheets.Alineofwomenandmenstoodwaitingtogetin,andanotherlinecameoutcarryingcannedgoodsandloavesofbread.

           JimandoldDanwalkeduptothebuilding."There’sthekennel,"Jimsaid."Itwouldn’tbesobadifyouhadawomantocookforyou."

           Dansaid,"GuessI’llgoovertothestoreandgetmeacanofbeans.Thesedamnfoolspayseventeencentsforapoundofcannedbeans.Why,theycouldgetfourpoundsofdriedbeansforthat,andcookedupthat’dmakenearlyeightpounds."

           Jimasked,"Whydon’tyoudothat,Dan?"