Chesbro studied the view. "Gramatan Mills are wrecked," he said. "They'll never come back. They rebuilt on the river in ninety-seven right where the old waterpower mill was. Half their plant's—torn away."
"Let's get on down," Groff said.
McCue volunteered: "I'd try the school—if it's standing. That's where you always set up cots and aid stations."
Chesbro said: "The junior high's standing. Built well on the outskirts. Lucky it's on this side of the river."
They started down the hill. The stink grew worse.
First they came to frame houses with picket fences and vegetable gardens in the back. The porches were full; exhausted people looked dully at them. At the third or fourth house a man came to his gate to watch them pass.
Groff said, "We've got your burgess here. He seems to have pneumonia. Can we make him comfortable in your place and get a doctor for him?"
The man said tiredly, "There's no room in my place. I have twenty-five, thirty people. And the doctors won't make house calls, not today. All three of 'em are down at the school. Take him there."
Mrs. Goudeket said, "Could you maybe put me up, mister? We've been walking and walking—?"
"No room," he said. "I'm full up. Everybody's full up. Go to the school. They got stretchers there. The Air Force dropped 'em in the athletic field. I hope Henry gets better. Go down to the school. They'll take care of you there."