“I ain’t had milk like they said I ought.”
“I know. We jus’ didn’ have no milk.” Rose of Sharon said dully, “Ef Connie hadn’ went away, we’d a had a little house by now, with him studyin’ an’ all. Would a got milk like I need. Would a had a nice baby. This here baby ain’t gonna be no good. I ought a had milk.” She reached in her apron pocket and put something into her mouth.
Ma said, “I seen you nibblin’ on somepin. What you eatin’?”
“Nothin’.”
“Come on, what you nibblin’ on?”
“Jus’ a piece of slack lime. Foun’ a big hunk.”
“Why, that’s jus’ like eatin’ dirt.”
“I kinda feel like I wan’ it.” Ma was silent. She spread her knees and tightened her skirt. “I know,” she said at last. “I et coal oncet when I was in a fambly way. Et a big piece a coal. Granma says I shouldn’. Don’ you say that about the baby. You got no right even to think it.”
“Got no husban’! Got no milk!”
Ma said, “If you was a well girl, I’d take a whang at you. Right in the face.” She got up and went inside the tent. She came out and stood in front of Rose of Sharon, and she held out her hand. “Look!” The small gold earrings were in her hand. “These is for you.”