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Chapter 28
Thefieldmicemovedcautiouslyovertheleaves.Askunkpaddedheavilyandunself-consciouslydownthetrail,carryingafainteffluviumwithhim.Andthenawindstirredthewillowsdelicately,asthoughittestedthem,andashowerofgoldenleavescoasteddowntotheground.Suddenlyagustboiledinandrackedthetrees,andacrickingdownpourofleavesfell.Macouldfeelthemonherhairandonhershoulders.Overtheskyaplumpblackcloudmoved,erasingthestars.Thefatdropsofrainscattereddown,splashingloudlyonthefallenleaves,andthecloudmovedonandunveiledthestarsagain.Mashivered.Thewindblewpastandleftthethicketquiet,buttherushingofthetreeswentondownthestream.Frombackatthecampcamethethinpenetratingtoneofaviolinfeelingaboutforatune.
Maheardastealthystepamongtheleavesfartoherleft,andshegrewtense.Shereleasedherkneesandstraightenedherheadthebettertohear.Themovementstopped,andafteralongmomentbeganagain.Avineraspedharshlyonthedryleaves.Masawadarkfigurecreepintotheopenanddrawneartotheculvert.Theblackroundholewasobscuredforamoment,andthenthefiguremovedback.Shecalledsoftly,«Tom!»Thefigurestoodstill,sostill,solowtothegroundthatitmighthavebeenastump.Shecalledagain,«Tom,oh,Tom!»Thenthefiguremoved.
«Thatyou,Ma?»
«Rightoverhere.»Shestoodupandwenttomeethim.«Youshouldn’ofcame,"hesaid.«Igottoseeyou,Tom.Igottotalktoyou.»
«It’snearthetrail,"hesaid.
