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Chapter 30
Heputhisshoveldown,andholdingtheboxinfrontofhim,heedgedthroughthebrushuntilhecametotheedgeoftheswiftstream.Foratimehestoodwatchingitswirlby,leavingitsyellowfoamamongthewillowstems.Heheldtheappleboxagainsthischest.Andthenheleanedoverandsettheboxinthestreamandsteadieditwithhishand.Hesaidfiercely,«Godownan’tell’em.Godowninthestreetan’rotan’tell’emthatway.That’sthewayyoucantalk.Don’evenknowifyouwasaboyoragirl.Ain’tgonnafindout.Goondownnow,an’layinthestreet.Maybethey’llknowthen.»Heguidedtheboxgentlyoutintothecurrentandletitgo.Itsettledlowinthewater,edgedsideways,whirledaround,andturnedslowlyover.Thesackfloatedaway,andthebox,caughtintheswiftwater,floatedquicklyaway,outofsight,behindthebrush.UncleJohngrabbedtheshovelandwentrapidlybacktotheboxcars.Heslosheddownintothewaterandwadedtothetruck,wherePaandAlwereworking,takingdowntheone-by-sixplanks.
Palookedoverathim.«Getitdone?»
«Yeah.»
«Well,look,"Pasaid.«Ifyou’llhe’pAl,I’llgodownthestorean’getsomestufftoeat.»
«Getsomebacon,"Alsaid.«Ineedsomemeat.»
«Iwill,"Pasaid.HejumpeddownfromthetruckandUncleJohntookhisplace.
Whentheypushedtheplanksintothecardoor,Maawakenedandsatup.«Whatyoudoin’?»
«Gonnabuildupaplacetokeepoutathewet.»
«Why?»Maasked.«It’sdryinhere.»
«Ain’tgonnabe.Water’scomin’up.»
