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           Purtiestgoddamncountryyoueverseen,buttheyain’tnicetoyou,themfolks.They’resoscairtan’worriedtheyain’tevennicetoeachother."

           Tomlookeddownintothewater,andhedughisheelsintothesand."S’poseafellagotworkan’saved,couldn’hegetalittlelan’?"

           Theoldermanlaughedandhelookedathisboy,andhissilentboygrinnedalmostintriumph.Andthemansaid,"Youain’tgonnagetnosteadywork.Gonnascrabbleforyourdinnerever’day.An’yougonnadoherwithpeoplelookin’meanatyou.Pickcotton,an’yougonnabesurethescalesain’thonest.Someof’emis,an’someof’emain’t.Butyougonnathinkallthescalesiscrooked,an’youdon’tknowwhichones.Ain’tnothin’youcandoaboutheranyways."

           Paaskedslowly,"Ain’t—ain’titniceoutthereatall?"

           "Sure,nicetolookat,butyoucan’thavenoneofit.They’sagroveofyellaoranges—an’aguywithagunthatgottherighttokillyouifyoutouchone.They’safella,newspaperfellanearthecoast,gotamillionacres—"

           Casylookedupquickly,"Millionacres?Whatintheworl’canhedowithamillionacres?"

           "Idunno.Hejus’gotit.Runsafewcattle.Gotguardsever’placetokeepfolksout.Ridesaroun’inabullet-proofcar.Iseenpitchersofhim.Fat,sof’fellawithlittlemeaneyesan’amouthlikeaass-hole.Scairthe’sgonnadie.Gotamillionacresan’scairtofdyin’."