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“We can hardly bla away,” Jack said

“The Brennans ain’t comin’,” Ant said “They said we’re crazy to come”

“We’re not on grower land There’s no law saying we can’t talk,” Loreda said

“Sohts don’t matter as much as they should,” Jack said

Natalia walked up to Jack As usual she was impeccably dressed, in black pants and a fitted tan blazer with a white silk blouse buttoned to the throat It was little wonder Loreda idolized the woed to look glamorous and calm How did a woman become so steady?

“Co Jack by the arm “All of you”

Natalia led them to the barn door

In the field between the barn and the road, Elsa saw a steady line of vehicles driving toward the barn One after another, cars parked out front; doors opened People stepped out, gathered uncertainly; rass pasture

Elsa saw the way folksback to the road and out across the empty fields

By eight o’clock, Elsa estimated the crowd at over five hundred More people walked up the road, athered in front of the barn They talked a themselves, but quietly Everyone was afraid to be there, afraid of the consequences of just listening to talk of a strike

“You should talk to them,” Jack said to Elsa

She laughed “Me? Why would anyone listen to me?”

“You know these people They’d listen to you”

“Go on,” she said, giving him a shove “Convince them the way you convinced me”

Jack hauled a table out fro double doors, then jumped up on it