Chapter 26

           TheBigNursehadhernextmaneuverunderwaythedayafterthefishingtrip.TheideahadcometoherwhenshewastalkingtoMcMurphythedaybeforeabouthowmuchmoneyhewasmakingoffthefishingtripandotherlittleenterprisesalongthatline.Shebadworkedtheideaoverthatnight,lookingatitfromeverydirectionthistimeuntilshewasdeadsureitcouldnotfail,andallthenextdayshefedhintsaroundtostartarumorandhaveitbreedinggoodbeforesheactuallysaidanythingaboutit.

           Sheknewthatpeople,beingliketheyare,soonerorlateraregoingtodrawbackawaysfromsomebodywhoseemstobegivingalittlemorethanordinary,fromSantaClausesandmissionariesandmendonatingfundstoworthycauses,andbegintowonder:What’sinitforthem?Grinoutofthesideoftheirmouthswhentheyounglawyer,say,bringsasackofpecanstothekidsinhisdistrictschool—justbeforenominationsforstatesenate,theslydevil—andsaytooneanother,He’snobody’sfool.

           Sheknewitwouldn’ttaketoomuchtogettheguystowonderingjustwhatitwas,nowthatyoumentionit,thatmadeMcMurphyspendsomuchtimeandenergyorganizingfishingtripstothecoastandarrangingBingopartiesandcoachingbasketballteams.