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Chapter 30
Yougotadryblanketwecouldusean’getherwetclothesoff?»
TheboywentbacktothecornerandbroughtadirtycomfortandhelditouttoMa.
«Thankya,"shesaid.«What’sthematter’ththatfella?»
Theboyspokeinacroakingmonotone.«Fusthewassick—butnowhe’sstarvin’.»
«What?»
«Starvin’.Gotsickinthecotton.Heain’tetforsixdays.»
Mawalkedtothecornerandlookeddownattheman.Hewasaboutfifty,hiswhiskeryfacegaunt,andhisopeneyeswerevagueandstaring.Theboystoodbesideher.«Yourpa?»Maasked.
«Yeah!Sayshewasn’hungry,orhejus’et.Givemethefood.Nowhe’stooweak.Can’thardlymove.»
Thepoundingoftheraindecreasedtoasoothingswishontheroof.Thegauntmanmovedhislips.Makneltbesidehimandputherearclose.Hislipsmovedagain.
«Sure,"Masaid.«Youjus’beeasy.He’llbeawright.Youjus’wait’llIgetthemwetclo’esoff’nmygirl.»
Mawentbacktothegirl.«Nowslip’emoff,"shesaid.Sheheldthecomfortuptoscreenherfromview.Andwhenshewasnaked,Mafoldedthecomfortabouther.
Theboywasathersideagainexplaining,«Ididn’know.Hesaidheet,orhewasn’hungry.Las’nightIwentan’bustawindaan’stoledsomebread.Made’imchew’erdown.Buthepukeditallup,an’thenhewasweaker.Gottohavesoupormilk.Youfolksgotmoneytogitmilk?»
Masaid,«Hush.Don’worry.We’llfiggersomepinout.»
Suddenlytheboycried,«He’sdyin’,Itellyou!He’sstarvin’todeath,Itellyou.»
