Page 62 (1/2)

"I was thinking about thethe silence "Do you think they were really looking for work or just wanted to make a point?"

"They could find work if they wanted to"

"Do you think so? It shockedfamilies with all their possessions strapped to their trucks, the hoboes ca for work in front of the courthouse, but they don’t seery Those et food," I continue "There’s trout in the river, berries to pick, wild greens in the fields, deer in the woods, and the opportunity to plant a garden if you have a little plot of land"

"Survival of the fittest," Captain Wolfe says "It’s each man for himself and his family That’s why I like the CCC ca to work hard, but the bu for handouts"

"But they’re too old for the camps, in their forties and fifties What do fellows like that do?"

"There’s the Public Works Adhway in Pennsylvania"

"But everyone can’t get ith the relief prograinia is over fifty percentin a few counties, eighty"

"Survival of the fittest," Captain Wolfe says again, and then we are silent until we pass through Liberty and cross back over the Hope, where we can see the tents that are pitched in the shelter of the stone bridge Men are huddled around campfires in the snow and mud

"The roads are bad Do you think you should stay the night at the Hesters’ house and go ho? You’d be welcome, I’m sure, but all we have is a sofa"

"No, I’ll be fine It’s clearing up"

We slip sideways on Salt Lick as we plow through a drift, but finally make it home As he walks me to the door an aardness closes around us

"Well, I had a lovely ti on the walk and I’m surprised when he takes my hand

"You’re a beautiful woman," Captain Wolfe says "Perhaps just a little too soft-hearted" When he sht

Norainst his chest, and I think I could rest there forever Coain

When the low clouds open, the half-moon breaks out and illuht and pro I don’t like about this man, Wolfe "Captain Wolfe" Becky calls him I watch the two of them from my dark bedroom upstairs, watch them stand in the snow after their return fro in her thin wool coat and he takes her in his arht for a full two minutes

Becky is too innocent And I fear he will hurt her Cut her tender heart open like an apple, and take a bite with his sharp teeth When the captain walks away, I can hear his saber rattle against his injured knee