Then the boy said: “My name ain’t Prentice; it’s Ayres.”
Len lifted his head and looked at Breezy.
“Mr. Baggs said I could have my choice,” continued the boy, “but he said if I didn’t stay with Mr. Prentice I’d be a charge on the county.”
Len winced, but the muscles of his lean jaws tightened. “Mr. Baggs said that, did he, Larry?”
“Just a while ago. He came out to see da—Mr. Prentice.”
“Oh, yeah. And what did Mr. Prentice say about it?”
“He didn’t say, because he was drunk and asleep.”
“Drunk?” Len looked questioningly at Breezy.
“Somethin’ new,” said Breezy quickly. “First time he’s been drunk in years, Len. The kid never seen him drunk before.”
“No, I never did,” supplemented Larry. “First time. He’s got two bottles with him.”