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Chapter 9
Buyingaplowtoplowyourownchildrenunder,buyingthearmsandspiritsthatmighthavesavedyou.Fivedollars,notfour.Ican’thaul’emback—Well,take’emforfour.ButIwarnyou,you’rebuyingwhatwillplowyourownchildrenunder.Andyouwon’tsee.Youcan’tsee.Take’emforfour.Now,what’llyougivefortheteamandwagon?Thosefinebays,matchedtheyare,matchedincolor,matchedthewaytheywalk,stridetostride.Inthestiffpullstraininghamsandbuttocks,split-secondtimedtogether.Andinthemorning,thelightonthem,baylight.Theylookoverthefencesniffingforus,andthestiffearsswiveltohearus,andtheblackforelocks!I’vegotagirl.Shelikestobraidthemanesandforelocks,putslittleredbowsonthem.Likestodoit.Notanymore.Icouldtellyouafunnystoryaboutthatgirlandthatoffbay.Wouldmakeyoulaugh.Offhorseiseight,nearisten,butmightofbeentwincoltsthewaytheyworktogether.See?Theteeth.Soundallover.Deeplungs.Feetfairandclean.Howmuch?Tendollars?Forboth?Andthewagon—Oh,JesusChrist!I’dshoot’emfordogfeedfirst.Oh,take’em!Take’emquick,mister.You’rebuyingalittlegirlplaitingtheforelocks,takingoffherhairribbontomakebows,standingback,headcocked,rubbingthesoftnoseswithhercheek.You’rebuyingyearsofwork,toilinthesun;you’rebuyingasorrowthatcan’ttalk.Butwatchit,mister.
