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Chapter 20
Wegottogoquick.»Shesetoutthetinplates.
Pasaid,«How’boutJohn?»
«WhereisUncleJohn?»Tomasked.
PaandMaweresilentforamoment,andthenPasaid,«Hewenttogetdrunk.»
«Jesus!»Tomsaid.«Whatatimehepickedout!Where’dhego?»
«Idon’know,"saidPa.
Tomstoodup.«Look,"hesaid,«youalleatan’getthestuffloaded.I’llgolookforUncleJohn.He’dofwenttothestore’crosttheroad.»
Tomwalkedquicklyaway.Thelittlecookingfiresburnedinfrontofthetentsandtheshacks,andthelightfellonthefacesofraggedmenandwomen,oncrouchedchildren.Inafewtentsthelightofkerosenelampsshonethroughthecanvasandplacedshadowsofpeoplehugelyonthecloth.
Tomwalkedupthedustyroadandcrossedtheconcretehighwaytothelittlegrocerystore.Hestoodinfrontofthescreendoorandlookedin.Theproprietor,alittlegraymanwithanunkemptmustacheandwateryeyes,leanedonthecounterreadinganewspaper.Histhinarmswerebareandheworealongwhiteapron.Heapedaroundandinbackofhimweremounds,pyramids,wallsofcannedgoods.HelookedupwhenTomcamein,andhiseyesnarrowedasthoughheaimedashotgun.
«Goodevening,"hesaid.«Runoutofsomething?»
«Runoutofmyuncle,"saidTom.«Orherunout,orsomething.»
Thegraymanlookedpuzzledandworriedatthesametime.Hetouchedthetipofhisnosetenderlyandwaggleditaroundtostopanitch.«Seemslikeyoupeoplealwayslostsomebody,"hesaid.
