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Chapter 27
Eyesseethework—anddon’tseeit.
Talkin’acrosstherows
Theywasaladybackhome,won’tmentionnonames—hadaniggerkidallofasudden.Nobodyknowedbefore.Neverdidhuntoutthenigger.Couldn’neverholdupherheadnomore.ButIstartedtotellshewasagoodpicker.
Nowthebagisheavy,boostitalong.Setyourhipsandtowitalong,likeaworkhorse.Andthekidspickin’intotheoldman’ssack.Goodcrophere.Getsthininthelowplaces,thinandstringy.NeverseennocottonlikethishereCaliforniacotton.Longfiber,bes’damncottonIeverseen.Spoilthelan’prettysoon.Likeafellawantstobuysomecottonlan’—Don’buyher,renther.Thenwhenshe’scottonedondown,movesomeplacenew.
Linesofpeoplemovingacrossthefields.Fingerwise.Inquisitivefingerssnickinandoutandfindthebolls.Hardlyhavetolook.BetIcouldpickcottonifIwasblind.Gotafeelin’foracottonboll.Pickclean,cleanasawhistle.Sack’sfullnow.Takehertothescales.Argue.Scalemansaysyougotrockstomakeweight.How’bouthim?Hisscalesisfixed.Sometimeshe’sright,yougotrocksinthesack.Sometimesyou’reright,thescalesiscrooked.Sometimesboth;rocksan’crookedscales.Alwaysargue,alwaysfight.Keepsyourheadup.An’hisheadup.What’safewrocks?Jus’one,maybe.Quarterpound?Alwaysargue.
Backwiththeemptysack.Gotourownbook.Markintheweight.Gotto.Iftheyknowyou’remarkin’,thentheydon’tcheat.ButGodhe’pyaifyadon’keepyourownweight.
