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Chapter 28
Itwon’tdonogoodtowhupher.Runnow,an’findheran’bringherback.»
Winfieldranforthecardoor,andhemetthethreementrampingupthecat-walk,andhestoodasidewhiletheycamein.Masaidsoftly,«Pa,Igottotalktoyou.Ruthietol’somekidshowTom’sa-hidin’.»
«What?»
«Shetol’.Gotinafightan’tol’.»
«Why,thelittlebitch!»
«No,shedidn’knowwhatshewasa-doin’.Nowlook,Pa.Iwantyoutostayhere.I’mgoin’outan’trytofin’Toman’tellhim.Igottotell’imtobecareful.Youstickhere,Pa,an’kindawatchoutforthings.I’lltake’imsomedinner.»
«Awright,"Paagreed.«Don’youevenmentiontoRuthiewhatshedone.I’lltellher.»AtthatmomentRuthiecamein,withWinfieldbehindher.Thelittlegirlwasdirtied.Hermouthwassticky,andhernosestilldrippedalittlebloodfromherfight.Shelookedshamedandfrightened.Winfieldtriumphantlyfollowedher.Ruthielookedfiercelyabout,butshewenttoacornerofthecarandputherbackinthecorner.Hershameandfiercenesswereblended.
«Itol’herwhatyoudone,"Winfieldsaid.
Mawasputtingtwochopsandsomefriedpotatoesonatinplate.«Hush,Winfiel’,"shesaid.«Theyain’tnoneedtohurtherfeelingsnomore’nwhatthey’rehurt.»
Ruthie’sbodyhurtledacrossthecar.ShegrabbedMaaroundthemiddleandburiedherheadinMa’sstomach,andherstrangledsobsshookherwholebody.Matriedtoloosenher,butthegrubbyfingersclungtight.
