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then finishes earnestly] ’n’ your Ma’ll be wantin’ to see all she kin o’ you the little time left.

—I’m not forgetting, Pa. I’ll be home right away.

—That’s right. I’ll tell your Maw you’re acomin’. [He chucks to the horses.] Giddap, old bones! Don’t you want no supper tonight? [''The horses walk off, and he follows them. There is a pause''. and sit silently, without looking at each other.]

—[After a while.] Ma’s going to miss you a lot, Rob.

—Yes—and I’ll miss her.

—And Pa ain’t feeling none too happy to have you go—though he’s been trying not to show it.

—I can see how he feels.

—And you can bet that I’m not giving any cheers about it. [He puts one hand on the fence near .]

—[Putting one hand on top of with a gesture almost of shyness.] I know that too, Andy.

—I’ll miss yon as much as anybody, I guess. I know how lonesome the old place was winter before last when you was away to college—and even then you used to come home once in a while; but this time [He stops suddenly.]

—Let’s not think about it—’til afterward. We’ll only spoil this last night if we do.