“Now you stop,” Rose of Sharon said, and she went inside the tent, out of sight. Ma chuckled, “You shouldn’ ought to worry her.”
“She likes it,” said Tom.
“I know she likes it, but it worries her, too. And she’s a-mournin’ for Connie.”
“Well, she might’s well give him up. He’s prob’ly studyin’ to be President of the United States by now.”
“Don’t worry her,” Ma said. “She ain’t got no easy row to hoe.” Willie Eaton moved near, and he grinned and said, “You Tom Joad?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I’m Chairman the Entertainment Committee. We gonna need you. Fella tol’ me ’bout you.”
“Sure, I’ll play with you,” said Tom. “This here’s Ma.”
“Howdy,” said Willie. “Glad to meet ya.” Willie said, “Gonna put you on the gate to start, an’ then on the floor. Want ya to look over the guys when they come in, an’ try to spot ’em. You’ll be with another fella. Then later I want ya to dance an’ watch.”
“Yeah! I can do that awright,” said Tom. Ma said apprehensively, “They ain’t no trouble?”