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Chapter 24
Tomstoodatthegateandwatchedthepeoplecomingintothedance.Afloodlightshonedownintotheirfaces.WillieEatonsaid,«Jes’keepyoureyesopen.I’msendin’JuleVitelaover.He’shalfCherokee.Nicefella.Keepyoureyesopen.An’seeifyoucanpickouttheones.»
«O.K.,"saidTom.Hewatchedthefarmfamiliescomein,thegirlswithbraidedhairandtheboyspolishedforthedance.Julecameandstoodbesidehim.
«I’mwithyou,"hesaid.
Tomlookedatthehawknoseandthehighbrowncheekbonesandtheslenderrecedingchin.«Theysaysyou’rehalfInjun.YoulookallInjuntome.»
«No,"saidJule.«Jes’half.WishtIwasafull-blood.I’dhavemylan’onthereservation.Themfull-bloodsgotitprettynice,someof’em.»
«Lookathempeople,"Tomsaid.
Theguestsweremovinginthroughthegateway,familiesfromthefarms,migrantsfromtheditchcamps.Childrenstrainingtobefreeandquietparentsholdingthemback.
Julesaid,«Theseheredancesdonefunnythings.Ourpeoplegotnothing,butjes’becausetheycanasttheirfrien’stocomeheretothedance,sets’emupan’makes’emproud.An’thefolksrespects’em’countoftheseheredances.FellagotalittleplacewhereIwasa-workin’.Hecometoadancehere.Iasthimmyself,an’hecome.Sayswegottheonlydecentdanceinthecounty,whereamancantakehisgirlsan’hiswife.Hey!Look.»
Threeyoungmenwerecomingthroughthegate—youngworkingmeninjeans.Theywalkedclosetogether.
