Ma said, “I never heard about it. I sure could use a wash tub, I tell you.”
The girl went on excitedly, “Why, God Awmighty, they got hot water right in pipes, an’ you get in under a shower bath an’ it’s warm. You never seen such a place.”
Ma said, “All full now, ya say?”
“Yeah. Las’ time we ast it was.”
“Mus’ cost a lot,” said Ma.
“Well, it costs, but if you ain’t got the money, they let you work it out —couple hours a week, cleanin’ up, an’ garbage cans. Stuff like that. An’ nights they’s music an’ folks talks together an’ hot water right in the pipes. You never see nothin’ so nice.”
Ma said, “I sure wisht we could go there.”
Ruthie had stood all she could. She blurted fiercely, “Granma died right on top a the truck.” The girl looked questioningly at her.
“Well, she did,” Ruthie said. “An’ the cor’ner got her.” She closed her lips tightly and broke up a little pile of sticks.
Winfield blinked at the boldness of the attack. “Right on the truck,” he echoed. “Cor’ner stuck her in a big basket.” Ma said, “You shush now, both of you, or you got to go away.” And she fed twigs into the fire. Down the line Al had strolled to watch the valve-grinding job.