The city lady started toward the group, now knowing the problem, but bent upon making amends. Before she reached them a great feeling of shame swept over Clay-Boy. He felt that he had betrayed his father and brought dishonor to the family. He reached down, scooped Pattie-Cake up in his arms and led the way off toward home. Not one of them looked back to their friends and neighbors who had lowered themselves by accepting something they had not earned. No one spoke on the way home except for Becky, who cursed aloud to the night and the snow. “Sons-of-bitches! It’s just like Daddy always claims,”
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