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Chapter 20
Andthevoicewasclosethistime,thesameslow,tunelesssinging,«Oh,thenightthatMaggiedied,shecalledmetoherside,an’givetomethemol’redflanneldrawersthatMaggiewore.Theywasbaggyattheknees—"
Tommovedcautiouslyforward.Hesawtheblackformsittingontheground,andhestolenearandsatdown.UncleJohntiltedthepintandtheliquorgurgledoutoftheneckofthebottle.
Tomsaidquietly,«Hey,wait!WheredoIcomein?»
UncleJohnturnedhishead.«Whoyou?»
«Youforgotmeawready?Youhadfourdrinkstomyone.»
«No,Tom.Don’ttryfoolme.I’mallalonehere.Youain’tbeenhere.»
«Well,I’msureherenow.How’boutgivin’measnort?»
UncleJohnraisedthepintagainandthewhiskygurgled.Heshookthebottle.Itwasempty.«Nomore,"hesaid.«Wantadiesobad.Wantadieawful.Diealittlebit.Gotto.Likesleepin’.Diealittlebit.Sotar’d.Tar’d.Maybe—don’wakeupnomore.»Hisvoicecroonedoff.«Gonnawearacrown—agoldencrown.»
Tomsaid,«Listenheretome,UncleJohn.We’regonnamoveon.Youcomealong,an’youcangorighttosleepupontheload.»
Johnshookhishead.«No.Goon.Ain’tgoin’.Gonnares’here.Nogoodgoin’back.Nogoodtonobody—jus’a-draggin’mysinslikedirtydrawers’mongstnicefolks.No.Ain’tgoin’.»
«Comeon.Wecan’tgo’lessyougo.»
«Gori’’long.Iain’tnogood.Iain’tnogood.Jus’a-draggin’mysins,a-dirtyin’ever’body.»
«Yougotnomoresin’nanybodyelse.»
