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Chapter 26
Tomputonhisshoesandmovedcautiouslyacrossthestubblefield.Thesquishingnoisenolongercamefromhisshoes.Hewentbyinstincttowardtheothersideofthestubblefield,andatlasthecametotheroad.Verycautiouslyheapproachedthesquareofhouses.
Onceaguard,thinkingheheardanoise,called,«Who’sthere?»
Tomdroppedandfrozetotheground,andtheflashlightbeampassedoverhim.HecreptsilentlytothedooroftheJoadhouse.Thedoorsqualledonitshinges.AndMa’svoice,calmandsteadyandwideawake:
«What’sthat?»
«Me,Tom.»
«Well,youbettergetsomesleep.Alain’tinyet.»
«Hemustafoun’agirl.»
«Goontosleep,"shesaidsoftly.«Overunderthewindow.»
Hefoundhisplaceandtookoffhisclothestotheskin.Helayshiveringunderhisblanket.Andhistornfaceawakenedfromitsnumbness,andhiswholeheadthrobbed.
ItwasanhourmorebeforeAlcamein.HemovedcautiouslynearandsteppedonTom’swetclothes.«Sh!»saidTom.Alwhispered,«Youawake?How’dyougetwet?»
«Sh,"saidTom.«Tellyouinthemornin’.»Paturnedonhisback,andhissnoringfilledtheroomwithgaspsandsnorts.«You’recol’,"Alsaid.«Sh.Gotosleep.»Thelittlesquareofthewindowshowedgrayagainsttheblackoftheroom.
Tomdidnotsleep.Thenervesofhiswoundedfacecamebacktolifeandthrobbed,andhischeekboneached,andhisbrokennosebulgedandpulsedwithpainthatseemedtotosshimabout,toshakehim.
