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Chapter 28
Thenarrowstreamslippedby,outofthewillows,andbackintothewillowsagain.Fromeachcarahard-beatenpathwentdowntothestream.Betweenthecarstheclotheslineshung,andeverydaythelineswerecoveredwithdryingclothes.
Intheeveningtheywalkedbackfromthefields,carryingtheirfoldedcottonbagsundertheirarms.Theywentintothestorewhichstoodatthecrossroads,andthereweremanypickersinthestore,buyingtheirsupplies.
«Howmuchtoday?»
«We’redoin’fine.Wemadethreeandahalftoday.Wishtshe’dkeepup.Themkidsisgettin’tobegoodpickers.Ma’sworked’emupalittlebagforeach.Theycouldn’towagrowed-upbag.Dumpintoours.Madebagsoutaacoupleoldshirts.Workfine.»
AndMawenttothemeatcounter,herforefingerpressedagainstherlips,blowingonherfinger,thinkingdeeply.«Mightgetsomeporkchops,"shesaid.«Howmuch?»
«Thirtycentsapound,ma’am.»
«Well,lemmehavethreepoun’s.An’anicepieceaboilin’beef.Mygirlcancookittomorra.An’abottleamilkformygirl.Shedotesonmilk.Gonnahaveababy.Nurse-ladytol’hertoeatlotsamilk.Now,le’ssee,wegotpotatoes.»
Pacameclose,carryingacanofsirupinhishands.«Mightgetthishere,"hesaid.«Mighthavesomehotcakes.»
Mafrowned.«Well—well,yes.Here,we’lltakethishere.Now—wegotplentylard.»
Ruthiecamenear,inherhandstwolargeboxesofCrackerJack,inhereyesabroodingquestion,whichonanodorashakeofMa’sheadmightbecometragedyorjoyousexcitement.
