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Chapter 26
Pastruggledintohisoverallsandputonhisrustycoat.Hewentsluggishlyoutthedoor,yawningandstretching.
Thechildrenawakenedandwatchedfromundertheirblanket,likemice.Palelightfilledtheroomnow,butcolorlesslight,beforethesun.Maglancedatthemattresses.UncleJohnwasawake.Alsleptheavily.HereyesmovedtoTom.Foramomentshepeeredathim,andthenshemovedquicklytohim.Hisfacewaspuffedandblue,andthebloodwasdriedblackonhislipsandchin.Theedgesofthetorncheekweregatheredandtight.
«Tom,"shewhispered,«what’sthematter?»
«Sh!»hesaid.«Don’ttalkloud.Igotinafight.»
«Tom!»
«Icouldn’helpit,Ma.»
Shekneltdownbesidehim.«Youintrouble?»
Hewasalongtimeanswering.«Yeah,"hesaid.«Introuble.Ican’tgoouttowork.Igottohide.»
Thechildrencrawlednearontheirhandsandknees,staringgreedily.«What’sthematter’thhim,Ma?»
«Hush!»Masaid.«Gowashup.»
«Wegotnosoap.»
«Well,usewater.»
«What’sthematter’thTom?»
«Nowyouhush.An’don’tyoutellnobody.»
Theybackedawayandsquatteddownagainstthefarwall,knowingtheywouldnotbeinspected.
Maasked,«Isitbad?»
«Nosebusted.»
«Imeanthetrouble?»
«Yeah.Bad.»
AlopenedhiseyesandlookedatTom.«Well,forChris’sake!Whatwasyouin?»
«What’samatter?»UncleJohnasked.
Paclumpedin.«Theywasopenallright.»Heputatinybagofflourandhispackageoflardonthefloorbesidethestove.«’S’amatter?»heasked.
