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wondered. It seemed to her that sometimes when she had been looking from a rock straight down into clear sea water, this same color had lurked in its depths. Is it green, or is it gray? she asked herself, but did not turn just now to see. She kept her face toward the landscape. All men are born equal, he now remarked slowly. Yes, she quickly answered, with a combative flash. Well? Maybe that dont include women? he suggested. I think it does. Do yu tell the kids so? Of course I teach them what I believe! He pondered. I used to have to learn about the Declaration of Independence. I hated books and truck when I was a kid. But you dont any more. No. I certnly dont. But I used to get kep in at recess for bein so dumb. I was most always at the tail end of the class. My brother, hed be head sometimes. Little George Taylor is my prize scholar, said Molly. Knows his tasks, does he? Always. And Henry Dow comes next. Whos last? Poor Bob Carmody. I spend more time on him than on all the rest put together. My! said the Virginian. Aint that strange! She looked at him, puzzled by his tone. Its not strange when you know Bob, she said. Its very strange, drawled the Virginian. Knowin Bob dont help it any. I dont think that I understand you, said Molly, sticky. Well, it is mighty confusin. George Taylor, hes your best scholar, and poor Bob, hes your worst, and theres a lot in the middle--and you tell me were all born equal! Molly could only sit giggling in this trap he had so ingeniously laid for her. Ill tell you what, pursued the cow-puncher, with slow and growing intensity, equality is a great big bluff. Its easy called. I didnt mean-- began Molly. Wait, and let me say what I mean. He had made an imperious gesture with his hand. I know a man that mostly wins at cyards. I know a man that mostly loses. He says it is his luck. All right. Call it his luck. I know a man that works hard and hes gettin rich, and I know another that works hard and is gettin poor. He says it is his luck. All right. Call it his luck. I look around and I see folks movin up or movin down, winners or losers everywhere. All luck, of course. But since folks can be born that different in their luck, wheres your equality? No, seh! call your failure luck, or call it laziness, wander around the words, prospect all yu mind to, and yull come out the same old trail of inequality. He paused a moment and looked at her. Some holds four aces, he went on, and some holds nothin, and some poor fello gets the aces and no show to play em; but a man has got to prove himself my equal before Ill believe him. Molly sat gazing at him, silent. I know what yu meant, he told her now, by sayin youre not the wife Id want. But I am the kind that moves up. I am goin to be your best scholar. He turned toward her, and that fortress within her began to shake. Dont, she murmured. Dont, please. Dont what? Why--spoil this. Spoil it? These rides--I dont love you--I cant--but these rides are-- What are they? My greatest pleasure. There! And, please, I want them to go on so. Go on so! I dont reckon yu know what youre sayin. Yu might as well ask fruit to stay green. If the way we are now can keep bein enough for you, it cant for me. A pleasure to you, is it? Well, to me it is--I dont know what to call it. I come to yu and I hate it, and I come again and I hate it, and I ache and grieve all over when I go. No! You will have to think of some other way than just invitin me to keep green. If I am to see you-- began the girl. |
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