Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           Iwasstandingtherelookingwhenhecamein.Heheldoutafive-dollarbill.

           "Hereyougo,Chief,chewin’-gummoney."

           Ishookmyheadandstartedtowalkoutofthelatrine.Hecaughtmebythearm.

           "Chief,Ijustofferedyouatokenofmyappreciation.Ifyoufigureyougotabiggercutcomin’—"

           "No!Keepyourmoney,Iwon’thaveit."

           Hesteppedbackandputhisthumbsinhispocketsandtippedhisheadupatme.Helookedmeoverforawhile.

           "Okay,"hesaid."Nowwhat’sthestory?What’severybodyinthisplacegivingmethecoldnoseabout?"

           Ididn’tanswerhim.

           "Didn’tIdowhatIsaidIwould?Makeyouman-sizedagain?What’swrongwithmearoundhereallofasudden?YoubirdsactlikeI’matraitortomycountry."

           "You’realways...winningthings!"

           "Winningthings!Youdamnedmoose,whatareyouaccusingmeof?AllIdoisholdupmyendofthedeal.Nowwhat’ssoall-fired—"

           "Wethoughtitwasn’ttobewinningthings..."

           IcouldfeelmychinjerkingupanddownthewayitdoesbeforeIstartcrying,butIdidn’tstartcrying.Istoodthereinfrontofhimwithmychinjerking.Heopenedhismouthtosaysomething,andthenstopped.Hetookhisthumbsoutofhispocketsandreachedupandgrabbedthebridgeofhisnosebetweenhisthumbandfinger,likeyouseepeopledowhoseglassesaretootightbetweenthelenses,andheclosedhiseyes.

           "Winning,forChristsakes,"hesaidwithhiseyesclosed."Hooboy,winning."