"They've all got holes," he explained, "but the holes don't come in the same places. So I reckon my hide'll be covered."
He was in festive spirits. As he went about getting ready for the trip, he hummed a little song of the tobacco region.
When we sell the 'baccy an' the corn crop too
Susy Jane'll ride to church in a gaown an' ribbon new,
Slippers neat upon her feet. There won't be none like Sue
When we sell the 'baccy an' the corn crop too.
"What do you want me to bring you from taown, Judy?" he asked in a pause of shaving. "I want to fetch you sumpin nice that you bin a-wantin', sumpin that's a real treat. Shall it be a new dress or what?"
A year or so ago the mention of a new dress would have filled her with delighted enthusiasm. Now she only smiled a little wearily. She felt years older than he.
"I don't go nowheres to need good clothes," she said. "Bring stuff to make Billy a warm coat. An' you'd otta git yerse'f one o' them corduroy coats with sheepskin inside an' wear it on the trip home. Your clothes hain't near warm enough fer sech a long trip. I'm afraid you'll be awful cold afore you git there."