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Chapter 22
Ruthielineduptwoballsandhitbothofthem,andsheturnedherbackonthewatchingeyes,andthenturnedback.Suddenlysheadvancedonthem,malletinhand.«Youcomean’play,"shedemanded.Theymovedsilentlybackatherapproach.Foramomentshestaredatthem,andthensheflungdownthemalletandrancryingforhome.Thechildrenwalkedbackonthecourt.
PigtailssaidtoWinfield,«Youcangitinthenextgame.»
Thewatchingladywarnedthem,«Whenshecomesbackan’wantstobedecent,youlether.Youwasmeanyourself,Amy.»Thegamewenton,whileintheJoadtentRuthieweptmiserably.
THETRUCKmovedalongthebeautifulroads,pastorchardswherethepeacheswerebeginningtocolor,pastvineyardswiththeclusterspaleandgreen,underlinesofwalnuttreeswhosebranchesspreadhalfacrosstheroad.Ateachentrance-gateAlslowed;andateachgatetherewasasign:«Nohelpwanted.Notrespassing.»
Alsaid,«Pa,they’sboun’tobeworkwhenthemfruitsgetsready.Funnyplace—theytellyatheyain’tnowork’foreyouask’em.»Hedroveslowlyon.
Pasaid,«Maybewecouldgoinanywaysan’askiftheyknowwherethey’sanywork.Mightdothat.»
Amaninblueoverallsandablueshirtwalkedalongtheedgeoftheroad.Alpulledupbesidehim.«Hey,mister,"Alsaid.«Knowwherethey’sanywork?»
Themanstoppedandgrinned,andhismouthwasvacantoffrontteeth.«No,"hesaid.«Doyou?Ibeenwalkin’allweek,an’Ican’ttreenone.»
«Liveinthatgov’mentcamp?»Alasked.
«Yeah!»
«Comeon,then.
