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Chapter 20
ShestoodashortdistanceawayandregardedMabelligerently.Atlastsheapproached.«Afternoon,"shesaidcoldly.
«Afternoon,"saidMa,andshegotupfromherkneesandpushedaboxforward.«Won’tyousetdown?»
Thewomanwalkednear.«No,Iwon’tsetdown.»
Malookedquestioninglyather.«CanIhe’pyouinanyway?»
Thewomansetherhandsonherhips.«Youkinhe’pmebymindin’yourownchildrenan’lettin’minealone.»
Ma’seyesopenedwide.«Iain’tdonenothin’—"shebegan.
Thewomanscowledather.«Mylittlefellacomebacksmellin’ofstew.Yougiveitto’im.Hetol’me.Don’yougoa-boastin’an’a-braggin’’bouthavin’stew.Don’youdoit.Igot’nuftroubles’thoutthat.Comeintame,hedid,an’says,’Whyn’twehavestew?’"Hervoiceshookwithfury.
Mamovedclose.«Setdown,"shesaid.«Setdownan’talkapiece.»
«No,Iain’tgonnasetdown.I’mtryin’tofeedmyfolks,an’youcomealongwithyourstew.»
«Setdown,"Masaid.«Thatwas’boutthelas’stewwe’regonnahavetillwegetwork.S’poseyouwascookin’astewan’abunchoflittlefellasstoodaroun’moonin’,what’dyoudo?Wedidn’thaveenough,butyoucan’tkeepitwhentheylookatyalikethat.»
Thewoman’shandsdroppedfromherhips.ForamomenthereyesquestionedMa,andthensheturnedandwalkedquicklyaway,andshewentintoatentandpulledtheflapsdownbehindher.Mastaredafterher,andthenshedroppedtoherkneesagainbesidethestackoftindishes.
