Part 66 (1/2)
Oh, the wisdom of the frontier child.
”Weren't you afraid?” probed Billy.
”Nah. Why, you needn't ever be afraid of a drunk man. They can't hurt you if you keep out of their way. I've seen lots of drunk men, I have, in my time.”
Billy was somewhat overwhelmed. ”That's fine,” he said lamely. ”Did you run away when the drunk man came out to the woodpile to sleep it off?”
”Nah. Ain't I said I ain't scared of drunks? I didn't run away. I stayed right there on the other side of the woodpile listening to the drunk man.”
”I thought you said he went to sleep.”
”He talked in his sleep,” patiently explained the amazing Winnie.
”What did he say?”
”Lots.”
”Did he say anything about Sally Jane?”
”He said he loved her.”
”Anything else?”
”He said he was gonna marry Sally Jane, by Gawd, and n.o.body else was gonna do it but him.”
”Did he talk about any men?”
”He talked about Bill.”
”Bill who?”
”Bill Wingo.”
”Now, we're gettin' there. Did he say anything particular about Bill Wingo?”
”He said he was gonna shoot him.”
”What for?”
”For being sheriff, or something. I don't remember that exactly.”
”You've remembered enough. What kind of a looking man was this drunk?”
”Oh, he was an old, old man.”
”Old, huh? How old?”
”Oh, about your age.”