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Chapter 28
Mabrushedthehaironthebackofherheadgently,andshepattedhershoulders.«Hush,"shesaid.«Youdidn’know.»
Ruthieraisedherdirty,tear-stained,bloodyface.«TheystoledmyCrackerJack!»shecried.«Thatbigson-of-a-bitchofagirl,shebeltedme—"Shewentoffintohardcryingagain.
«Hush!»Masaid.«Don’ttalklikethat.Here.Letgo.I’ma-goin’now.»
«Whyn’tyawhupher,Ma?Ifshedidn’tgitsnottywithherCrackerJack’twouldn’ahappened.Goon,giveherawhup.»
«Youjus’min’yourbusiness,mister,"Masaidfiercely.«You’llgitawhupyourself.Nowleggo,Ruthie.»
Winfieldretiredtoarolledmattress,andheregardedthefamilycynicallyanddully.Andheputhimselfinagoodpositionofdefense,forRuthiewouldattackhimatthefirstopportunity,andheknewit.Ruthiewentquietly,heart-brokenlytotheothersideofthecar.
Maputasheetofnewspaperoverthetinplate.«I’ma-goin’now,"shesaid.«Ain’tyougonnaeatnothin’yourself?»UncleJohndemanded.«Later.WhenIcomeback.Iwouldn’wantnothin’now.»Mawalkedtotheopendoor;shesteadiedherselfdownthesteep,cleatedcat-walk.
Onthestreamsideoftheboxcars,thetentswerepitchedclosetogether,theirguyropescrossingoneanother,andthepegsofoneatthecanvaslineofthenext.Thelightsshonethroughthecloth,andallthechimneysbelchedsmoke.Menandwomenstoodinthedoorwaystalking.Childrenranfeverishlyabout.Mamovedmajesticallydownthelineoftents.
