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Chapter 26
«Hecan’ttakeitnow,Ma.Waitalittle.»Matookthecupandsetitonthewindowledge.«Don’tnoneofyoutouchthat,"shewarned.«That’sforWinfiel’.»
«Iain’thadnomilk,"RoseofSharonsaidsullenly.«Ioughtahavesome.»
«Iknow,butyou’restillonyourfeet.Thisherelittlefella’sdown.Isthatmushgoodan’thick?»
«Yeah.Can’thardlystiritnomore.»
«Awright,le’seat.Nowhere’sthesugar.They’saboutonespooneach.Haveitonyamushorinyacoffee.»Tomsaid,«Ikindalikesaltan’pepperonmush.»
«Saltherifyoulike,"Masaid.«Thepepper’sout.»Theboxeswereallgone.Thefamilysatonthemattressestoeattheirmush.Theyservedthemselvesagainandagain,untilthepotwasnearlyempty.«SavesomeforWinfiel’,"Masaid.
Winfieldsatupanddrankhismilk,andinstantlyhewasravenous.Heputthemushpotbetweenhislegsandatewhatwasleftandscrapedatthecrustonthesides.MapouredtherestofthecannedmilkinacupandsneakedittoRoseofSharontodrinksecretlyinacorner.Shepouredthehotblackcoffeeintothecupsandpassedthemaround.
«Nowwillyoutellwhat’sgoin’on?»Tomasked.«Iwantahear.»Pasaiduneasily,«IwishtRuthiean’Winfiel’didn’haftahear.Can’ttheygooutside?»
Masaid,«No.Theygottoactgrowedup,eveniftheyain’t.They’snohelpforit.Ruthie—youan’Winfiel’ain’tevertosaywhatyouhear,elseyou’lljus’breakustopieces.»
«Wewon’t,"Ruthiesaid.«We’regrowedup.»
