“Be good to yourself,” he said slowly.
Joe turned and rode away, never looking back. Hozie sat down on the veranda and Aunt Emma came out. She had been watching from a window.
“What did he have to say?” she asked.
“Joe? Oh, nothin’ much.”
“What excuse did he offer?”
“None.”
“Didn’t deny bein’ drunk?”
“Didn’t mention it.”
“Feel sorry about it, Hozie?”
“Didn’t say.”