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Chapter 26
Amansatonaboxinfrontofthetent.
«Evenin’,"Tomsaid.«Whoareyou?»
«Well—Iguess,well—I’mjus’goin’past.»
«Knowanybodyhere?»
«No.ItellyouIwasjus’goin’past.»Aheadstuckoutofthetent.Avoicesaid,«What’sthematter?»
«Casy!»Tomcried.«Casy!ForChris’sake,whatyoudoin’here?»
«Why,myGod,it’sTomJoad!Comeonin,Tommy.Comeonin.»
«Knowhim,doya?»themaninfrontasked.«Knowhim?Christ,yes.Knowedhimforyears.Icomewestwithhim.Comeonin,Tom.»HeclutchedTom’selbowandpulledhimintothetent.Threeothermensatontheground,andinthecenterofthetentalanternburned.Themenlookedupsuspiciously.Adark-faced,scowlingmanheldouthishand.«Gladtomeetya,"hesaid.«IheardwhatCasysaid.Thisthefellayouwastellin’about?»
«Sure.Thisishim.Well,forGod’ssake!Where’syourfolks?Whatyoudoin’here?»
«Well,"saidTom,«weheardtheywasworkthis-a-way.An’wecome,an’abunchaStatecopsrunusintothishereranchan’webeena-pickin’peachesallafternoon.Iseenabunchafellasyellin’.Theywouldn’tellmenothin’,soIcomeoutheretoseewhat’sgoin’on.How’nhell’dyougethere,Casy?»
Thepreacherleanedforwardandtheyellowlanternlightfellonhishighpaleforehead.«Jailhouseisakindafunnyplace,"hesaid.«Here’sme,beena-goin’intothewildernesslikeJesustotryfindoutsomepin.Almostgothersometimes,too.Butit’sinthejailhouseIreallygother.»
