Темная башня: Стрелок

           "I’mnotaskingforany."

           "Bloodmoney,"thehostlermuttered.

           "What?"

           "Nothing."Thehostlercaughtthemule’sbridleandledhiminside.

           "Rubhimdown!"thegunslingercalled.Theoldmandidnotturn.

           Thegunslingerwalkedouttotheboyscrouchedaroundthemarblering.Theyhadwatchedtheentireexchangewithcontemptuousinterest

           "Howtheyhanging?"thegunslingeraskedconversationally.

           Noanswer.

           "Yoududesliveintown?"

           Noanswer.

           Oneoftheboysremovedacrazilytiltedtwistofcorn-shuckfromhismouth,graspedagreencat’s-eyemarble,andsquirteditintothedirtcircle.Itstruckacroakerandknockeditoutside.Hepickedupthecat’s-eyeandpreparedtoshootagain.

           "Therearestaurantinthistown?"thegunslingerasked.

           Oneofthemlookedup,theyoungestTherewasahugecold-soreatthecornerofhismouth,buthiseyeswerestillingenuous.Helookedatthegunslingerwithhoodedbrimmingwonderthatwastouchingandfrightening.

           "MightgetaburgeratSheb’s."

           "Thatthehonky-tonk?"

           Theboynoddedbutdidn’tspeak.Theeyesofhisplaymateshadturneduglyandhostile.

           Thegunslingertouchedthebrimofhishat."I’mgrateful.It’sgoodtoknowsomeoneinthistownisbrightenoughtotalk."