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Chapter 26
InthebeginningduskMacamebacktothehouse.Shepausedonthedoorstepandknockedandsaid,«It’sme,"sothatTomwouldnotbeworried.Sheopenedthedoorandentered,carryingabag.Tomawakenedandsatuponhismattress.Hiswoundhaddriedandtightenedsothattheunbrokenskinwasshiny.Hislefteyewasdrawnnearlyshut.«Anybodycomewhilewewasgone?»Maasked.
«No,"hesaid.«Nobody.Iseetheydroppedtheprice.»
«How’dyouknow?»
«Iheardfolkstalkin’outside.»RoseofSharonlookeddullyupatMa.Tompointedatherwithhisthumb.«Sheraisedhell,Ma.Thinksallthetroubleisaimedrightsmackather.IfI’mgonnagetherupsetlikethatIoughtago’long.»MaturnedonRoseofSharon.«Whatyoudoin’?»Thegirlsaidresentfully,«How’mIgonnahaveanicebabywithstufflikethis?»Masaid,«Hush!Youhushnow.Iknowhowyou’rea-feelin’,an’Iknowyoucan’the’pit,butjus’keepyourmouthshut.»
SheturnedbacktoTom.«Don’tpayhernomind,Tom.It’sawfulhard,an’I’memberhowitis.Ever’thingisa-shootin’rightatyouwhenyou’regonnahaveababy,an’ever’thinganybodysaysisainsult,an’ever’thingagainstyou.Don’tpaynomind.Shecan’the’pit.It’sjus’thewayshefeels.»
«Idon’wantahurther.»
«Hush!Jus’don’talk.»Shesetherbagdownonthecoldstove.«Didn’hardlymakenothin’,"shesaid.«Itol’you,we’regonnagetoutahere.Tom,tryan’wrasslemesomewood.No—youcan’t.
