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Chapter 20
Pagatheredhistemper.«Ijus’wantedtoknowdoesanybodyownit?Dowegottopay?»
Thebeardedmanthrustouthisjaw.«Whoownsit?»hedemanded.
Paturnedaway.«Thehellwithit,"hesaid.Thewoman’sheadpoppedbackinthetent.
Thebeardedmansteppedforwardmenacingly.«Whoownsit?»hedemanded.«Who’sgonnakickusoutahere?Youtellme.»
TomsteppedinfrontofPa.«Youbettergotakeagoodlongsleep,"hesaid.Thebeardedmandroppedhismouthopenandputadirtyfingeragainsthislowergums.Foramomenthecontinuedtolookwisely,speculativelyatTom,andthenheturnedonhisheelsandpoppedintotheshackafterthegraywoman.
TomturnedonPa.«Whatthehellwasthat?»heasked.
Pashruggedhisshoulders.Hewaslookingacrossthecamp.InfrontofatentstoodanoldBuick,andtheheadwasoff.Ayoungmanwasgrindingthevalves,andashetwistedbackandforth,backandforth,onthetool,helookedupattheJoadtruck.Theycouldseethathewaslaughingtohimself.Whenthebeardedmanwasgone,theyoungmanlefthisworkandsaunteredover.
«H’areya?»hesaid,andhisblueeyeswereshinywithamusement.«IseenyoujustmettheMayor.»
«Whatthehell’sthematterwith’im?»Tomdemanded.
Theyoungmanchuckled.«He’sjus’nutslikeyouan’me.Maybehe’salittlenutser’nme,Idon’know.»
Pasaid,«Ijus’asthimifwecouldcamphere.»
Theyoungmanwipedhisgreasyhandsonhistrousers.«Sure.Whynot?Youfolksjus’comeacrost?»
«Yeah,"saidTom.
