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           WinfieldandRuthiewalkedslowlydownthroughthewillowstothereedyplace.Ruthiesaid,withsoftvehemence,"California.Thishere’sCaliforniaan’we’rerightinit!"

           Winfieldbrokeatuleandtwisteditfree,andheputthewhitepulpinhismouthandchewedit.Theywalkedintothewaterandstoodquietly,thewateraboutthecalvesoftheirlegs.

           "Wegotthedesertyet,"Ruthiesaid.

           "What’sthedesertlike?"

           "Idon’tknow.Iseenpitchersoncesaysadesert.Theywasbonesever’place."

           "Manbones?"

           "Some,Iguess,butmos’lycowbones."

           "Wegonnagettoseethembones?"

           "Maybe,Idon’know.Gonnago’crostheratnight.That’swhatTomsaid.Tomsayswegetthelivin’Jesusburnedoutausifwegoindaylight."

           "Feelsnicetan’cool,"saidWinfield,andhesquidgedhistoesinthesandofthebottom.

           TheyheardMacalling,"Ruthie!Winfiel’!Youcomeback."Theyturnedandwalkedslowlybackthroughthereedsandthewillows.

           Theothertentswerequiet.Foramoment,whenthecarscameup,afewheadshadstuckoutbetweentheflaps,andthenwerewithdrawn.Nowthefamilytentswereupandthemengatheredtogether.

           Tomsaid,"I’mgonnagodownan’takeabath.That’swhatI’mgonnado—beforeIsleep.How’sGranmasencewegotherinthetent?"

           "Don’know,"saidPa."Couldn’seemtowakeherup."Hecockedhisheadtowardthetent.Awhining,babblingvoicecamefromunderthecanvas.Mawentquicklyinside.

           "Shewokeup,awright,"saidNoah.