Голодные игры

           Hardlyanyonewillbuyhermilk,andthentheyonlypayhalfprice,"saidtheman.

           "What’sthebutchergivingforher?"Iasked.

           Themanshrugged."Hangaroundandsee."IturnedandsawRoobacomingacrossthesquaretowardus."Luckythingyoushowedup,"saidtheGoatManwhenshearrived."Girl’sgothereyeonyourgoat."

           "Notifshe’sspokenfor,"Isaidcarelessly.

           Roobalookedmeupanddownthenfrownedatthegoat."She’snot.Lookatthatshoulder.Betyouhalfthecarcasswillbetoorottenforevensausage."

           "What?"saidtheGoatMan."Wehadadeal."

           "Wehadadealonananimalwithafewteethmarks.Notthatthing.Sellhertothegirlifshe’sstupidenoughtotakeher,"saidRooba.Asshemarchedoff,Icaughtherwink.

           TheGoatManwasmad,buthestillwantedthatgoaloffhishands.Ittookushalfanhourtoagreeontheprice.Quiteacrowdhadgatheredbythentohandoutopinions.Itwasanexcellentdealifthegoatlived;I’dbeenrobbedifshedied.Peopletooksidesintheargument,butItookthegoat.

           Galeofferedtocarryher.IthinkhewantedtoseethelookonPrim’sfaceasmuchasIdid.Inamomentofcompletegiddiness,Iboughtapinkribbonandtieditaroundherneck.Thenwehurriedbacktomyhouse.

           YoushouldhaveseenPrim’sreactionwhenwewalkedinwiththatgoat.Rememberthisisagirlwhowepttosavethatawfuloldcat,Buttercup.Shewassoexcitedshestartedcryingandlaughingallatonce.