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6

After four. Well, I expect they ’ll have to close the store without me.

I left everything just as soon as Jane sent me word!

Why should Jane be with her instead of you or me, her own daughters?

You girls always made her nervous, and I guess she ’s pretty low. (He looks at his watch again) I said I’d be back before closin’ time. I don’t know as I dare to trust those boys.

You can’t tell about things, when Sadie’s husband died we sat there most all night.

(angrily)

Yes, and you grudged it to him, I knew it then and it is n’t likely I’m going to forget it.

Will was a good man, but even you can’t say he was ever very dependable.

My first husband died sudden—(she turns to Nettie)—you can’t remember it, dear.

You did n’t remember it very long, it wa’n’t much more’n a year before you married Henry.

(sighs)

Well, he was as dead then as he’s ever got to be. (He turns and glances nervously out window) I don’t know but what I could just run down to the store for a minute, then hurry right back.