“It’s terrible what’s going to become of this country if all the fine strong young men leave the farms and come into the cities.”
“Thought I could git a work as a longshoreman, ma’am, but they’re layin’ men off down on the wharves. Mebbe I kin go to sea as a sailor but nobody wants a green hand.... I aint et for two days now.”
“How terrible.... Why you poor man couldn’t you have gone to some mission or something?”
When Bud had brought the last load in he found a plate of cold stew on the corner of the kitchen table, half a loaf of stale bread and a glass of milk that was a little sour. He ate quickly barely chewing and put the last of the stale bread in his pocket.
“Well did you enjoy your little lunch?”
“Thankye ma’am.” He nodded with his mouth full.
“Well you can go now and thank you very much.” She put a quarter into his hand. Bud blinked at the quarter in the palm of his hand.
“But ma’am you said you’d give me a dollar.”
“I never said any such thing. The idea.... I’ll call my husband if you dont get out of here immediately. In fact I’ve a great mind to notify the police as it is....”
Without a word Bud pocketed the quarter and shuffled out.