Stevefeignedindifference。HewasfarmoredeeplyabsorbedinhisbetandtheAmericandrummerthanhewasinthisgame；buthechosetotakeoutafat，floridgoldwatch，consultitelaborately，andremark，“It’sonlyeleven。“
“Yu’forgetI’mfromthecountry，“saidtheblack-headedguy。
“Thechickenshavebeenroostin’arightsmartwhile。“
HissunnySouthernaccentwasagainstrong。InthatbriefpassagewithTrampasithadbeenalmostwhollyabsent。Butdifferentmoodsofthespiritbringdifferentqualitiesofutterance——whereamancomesbythesenaturally。TheVirginiancashedinhischecks。
“Awhileago，“saidSteve，“youhadwonthreemonths’salary。“