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Chapter 26
Theywerenearlyfinishedloadingwhenaguardmovednear,carryinghisshotgunacrosshiscrookedarm.
«What’sgoin’onhere?»heasked.«We’regoin’out,"saidPa.«Whatfor?»
«Well—wegotajoboffered—goodjob.»
«Yeah?Where’sitat?»
«Why—downbyWeedpatch.»
«Let’shavealookatyou.»HeturnedaflashlightinPa’sface,inUncleJohn’s,andinAl’s.«Wasn’tthereanotherfellawithyou?»Alsaid,«Youmeanthathitch-hiker?Littleshortfellawithapaleface?»
«Yeah.Iguessthat’swhathelookedlike.»
«Wejus’pickedhimuponthewayin.Hewentawaythismornin’whentheratedropped.»
«Whatdidhelooklikeagain?»
«Shortfella.Paleface.»
«Washebruisedupthismornin’?»
«Ididn’seenothin’,"saidAl.«Isthegaspumpopen?»
«Yeah,tilleight.»
«Gitin,"Alcried.«Ifwe’regonnagettoWeedpatch’foremornin’wegottaramon.Gettin’infront,Ma?»
«No,I’llsetinback,"shesaid.«Pa,yousetbackheretoo.LetRosasharnsetinfrontwithAl’an’UncleJohn.»
«Givemetheworkslip,Pa,"saidAl.«I’llgetgasan’changeifIcan.»Theguardwatchedthempullalongthestreetandturnlefttothegasolinepumps.«Putintwo,"saidAl.«Youain’tgoin’far.»
«No,notfar.CanIgetchangeonthishereworkslip?»
«Well—Iain’tsupposedto.»
«Look,mister,"Alsaid.«Wegotagoodjobofferedifwegettheretonight.Ifwedon’t,wemissout.Beagoodfella.»
«Well,O.K.Yousignherovertome.»
