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Updated: May 2, 2025
In spite of Jamie's whimpering, he went to the cupboard and produced a tin of molasses. This he carefully opened in full view of Vada's questioning eyes. Jamie had also become silent, watching him intently. He dug his finger into the sticky contents and drew it out. Then he licked his finger with tremendous enjoyment. "Bully," he muttered, apparently ignoring the children.
But Vada's mind was running on with swift childish curiosity, and she put a sudden question. "When's momma comin' back?" she demanded. The man's eyes shifted to the open doorway. The golden sunlight beyond was shining with all the splendor of a summer noon. But for all his blackened eyes saw there might have been a gray fog of winter outside. "Momma?" he echoed blankly. "Ess, momma," cried Jamie.
Vada ran to the animal's assistance, fell over Jamie's sprawling legs and rolled heavily in the mess. For some seconds confusion reigned. Sunny darted to Vada's rescue, sent the pup flying with a well-directed kick, picked the weeping girl up, and tried to shake some of the milk from her dirty clothing. While Bill grabbed Jamie out of the way of any further mischief.
When the meal was finished Scipio was about to get up from his chair, but Vada's imperious tongue stayed him. "We ain't said grace," she declared complainingly. And the man promptly dropped back into his seat. "Sure," he agreed helplessly. At once the girl put her finger-tips together before her nose and closed her eyes.
The floor was unswept, let alone unwashed. And the smell of stale food and general mustiness helped to add to the keenness of the visitor's nervous edge as he waited for the man's reply. "Guess they're out on the dumps playin' at findin' gold," Sunny said, with a slightly forced laugh. "Y'see, little Vada's staked out a claim on a patch of elegant garbage, an' is digging fer worms.
This little gal," he went on, tenderly laying an arm about Vada's small shoulders, "will, maybe, save my pore Jessie. That pore gal has hit the wrong trail, an' an' I'd sacrifice everything in the world to save her. I'd I'd sell my own soul. I'd give it to save her." Scipio looked fearlessly into the gambler's eyes. His pale cheeks were lit by a hectic flush of intense feeling.
Presently the door opened, and in walked Ethelwyn draped in a green denim closet door curtain, and bobbing up and down at every step. "What is this?" said mother. "You have to guess, it's a guessing show." Then came Beth in her Japanese costume, fanning vigorously. Nan followed in a Turkey red calico wrapper, beloved of 'Vada's heart.
He felt that a desperate move was required, and considered how best to make it. Finally he resolved that he must assert his authority. So, setting Vada on the ground, he stood up. "Bed," he said, with a great assumption of finality. Vada's eyes rolled ominously, and a pucker came to her little sunburnt brow. Jamie offered no preliminary, but howled at once.
Then it paled icily under its tan. His brain was struggling to grasp something which seemed to be slowly enveloping him, but which his honest heart would not let him believe. He stared stupidly at Vada's dirty face. Then, as the child withdrew to her play, he suddenly crossed the room to the curtained bedroom doorway. He passed through, and the flimsy covering fell to behind him.
Then, as he let the curtain fall again, something stirred within him. He turned towards the inner room, and his mild voice called "Jess." His answer was a hollow echo that somehow jarred his nerves. But he called again "Jess." Again came the echo. Then Vada's small face appeared round the door-casing. "Mom-ma gone hoss-ridin'," she reminded him. For an instant Scipio's face flushed.
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