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           "Thankyou,sir."

           "Justletmethinkaboutit."

           "Mr.Morphysayshe’sgoingtoworkwhenyoucloseatnoon.I’mmakinghimsomesandwiches.Wantmetomakeyousome?"

           "Nothanks.I’mlettingJoeydothework.He’sagoodman.There’ssomepropertyIwanttolookup.IntheCountyClerk’soffice,thatis.Niceandprivatetherefromtwelvetillthree.Mightbesomethinginthatforyou.We’lltalksoon.Solong."HetookalongfirststeptomissacrackandcrossedthealleyentrancetothefrontdooroftheFirstNationalBank,andEthansmiledathisretreatingback.

           Hefinishedhissweepingquickly,forpeopleweretricklingandfreshetingtoworknow.Hesetthestandsoffreshfruitattheentranceofthestore.Then,makingsurenoonewaspassing,heremovedthreestackedcansofdogfoodand,reachingbehind,broughtoutthegrimlittlebagofcurrency,replacedthedogfood,and,ringing"nosale"onthecashregister,distributedthetwenties,tens,fives,andone-dollarbillsintheirplacesunderthesmallretainingwheels.Andintheoakencupsatthefrontofthecashdrawerhesegregatedthehalves,quarters,dimes,nickels,andpennies,andslammedthedrawershut.Onlyafewcustomersshowedup,childrensentforaloafofbreadoracartonofmilkorapoundofforgottencoffee,littlegirlswithsleep-messyhair.

           MargieYoung-Huntcamein,pert-breastedinasalmonsweater.Hertweedskirtclunglovinglyinagainstherthighsandtuckedupunderherproudfanny,butitwasinhereyes,herbrownmyopiceyes,thatEthansawwhathiswifecouldneverseebecauseitwasn’ttherewhenwiveswereabout.