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           I’mjustgoingovertotellMissRachelyou’rehereandaskherifyoucouldspendthenightwithus—you’dlikethat,wouldn’tyou?Andforgoodness’sakeputsomeofthecountybackwhereitbelongs,thesoilerosion’sbadenoughasitis."

           Dillstaredatmyfather’sretreatingfigure.

           "He’stryin’tobefunny,"Isaid."Hemeanstakeabath.Seethere,Itoldyouhewouldn’tbotheryou."

           Jemwasstandinginacorneroftheroom,lookinglikethetraitorhewas."Dill,Ihadtotellhim,"hesaid."Youcan’trunthreehundredmilesoffwithoutyourmotherknowin’."

           Welefthimwithoutaword.

           Dillate,andate,andate.Hehadn’teatensincelastnight.Heusedallhismoneyforaticket,boardedthetrainashehaddonemanytimes,coollychattedwiththeconductor,towhomDillwasafamiliarsight,buthehadnotthenervetoinvoketheruleonsmallchildrentravelingadistancealoneifyou’velostyourmoneytheconductorwilllendyouenoughfordinnerandyourfatherwillpayhimbackattheendoftheline.

           DillmadehiswaythroughtheleftoversandwasreachingforacanofporkandbeansinthepantrywhenMissRachel’sDo-ooJe-suswentoffinthehall.Heshiveredlikearabbit.

           HeborewithfortitudeherWaitTillIGetYouHome,YourFolksAreOutofTheirMindsWorryin’,wasquitecalmduringThat’sAlltheHarrisinYouComingOut,smiledatherReckonYouCanStayOneNight,andreturnedthehugatlonglastbestoweduponhim.