Page:Hell-Bent fer Heaven (Hughes 1924).pdf/46

32

You’re lucky. They hain’t been no time I wusn’t sorry I didn’t go.

What ’us the trouble? Wouldn’t they have you?

Have me, hell! They’d ha’ jumped at me! But Mam an’ Paw wheedled me into claimin’ edzemption so’s I could help cut that patch o’ timber up the river fer the gov’ment. An’ now I’m totin’ the mail.

Well, don’t be so down-hearted. Somebody’s got to tote it.

But, dam’ it all, I want a job that gives me more elbow room! Every time I look at that piddlin’ mail sack an’ think o’ what you’ve been through, I git so goddern mad at myself an’ everybody else ’at I feel like startin’ a war o’ my own right here in the mountains!

[While is talking,  comes downstairs with a small bag in his hand, At  suggestion of starting a war of his own he stops suddenly and stands as if rooted to the spot.  also moves uneasily and exchanges significant glances with  and .]