The Yearling Page #8

Well, young'un, what's the matter?

We about run you down in the dark.

You hungry, boy?

Hungry?

Hey there!

Not too fast.

Ora?

It's me.

It's Jody.

Jody.

Come close.

Boy, we near about give you out.

You all right?

You all right. You ain't dead

nor gone. You all right.

Glory be!

- I had to come home.

- Why, sure you did.

I ain't meant what I said

about hating you.

Why, sure you ain't.

When I was a child,

I spake as a child.

- Where's Ma?

- She drove the wagon to Doc Wilson's.

Your ma's been searching for you.

She ain't done nothing else.

She'll be mighty glad you're home.

Jody, I'd be proud to know

where you been.

I been on the river.

I aimed to go to Boston.

I see.

Were you hungry?

I didn't get nothing to eat

for three days.

I'm sorry you had to learn it

that way.

Now you know Old Starvation. He's got

a face meaner than Old Slewfoot.

It's fearful!

Sit, boy.

You figured I went back on you.

That's why you runned away.

Son, there's a thing every man's got

to know. Maybe you know it already.

It wasn't only me. Wasn't only your

yearling deer having to be destroyed.

- Boy, life goes back on you.

- Yes, sir. I reckon.

You've seen how things go

in the world of men.

Every man wants life

to be a fine thing and easy.

Well, it is fine, son, powerful fine.

But it ain't easy.

I wanted life to be easy for you.

Easier than it was for me.

A man's heart aches seeing his

young'uns face the world.

Knowing they got to get their insides

tore out the way his was tore.

I wanted to spare you

as long as I could.

I wanted you to be with your yearling.

I knowed the lonesomeness be easier.

But every man's lonesome.

Well, what's he to do then? What's

he to do when he gets knocked down?

Why, take it for his share and go on.

I'm ashamed I run off.

You're near enough growed

to do your choosing, Jody.

Maybe you'd crave to go

to sea like Oliver.

But I'd be proud did you choose

to live here and farm the clearing.

I'd be proud to see the day

you got a well dug.

So's no woman here'd be obliged to do

her washing on a seepage hillside.

You willing?

I'm willing.

Shake.

It's food and drink

to have you home, boy.

Go to bed and rest.

I'll sit and wait for your ma.

Yes, sir.

- Night.

- Night, Pa.

- I'll start the corn in the morning.

- Yes, boy.

- We'll make it, Pa. We'll make out.

- Yes, boy.

- Come spring, we'll hunt Old Slewfoot.

- Yes, boy.

- Good night, Pa.

- Good night, my son.

- He's done come back, Ezry.

- He's done come back different.

He's takened a punishment.

He ain't a yearling no longer.

Ezry...

...I thought I'd lost them all.

Ora...

Ora, he's done come home.

I'll go in and see him.

Go on, Ma.

- Hello, Ma.

- Hello, son.

- You home and safe.

- Yes, Ma.

I'm grateful.

Now you get to sleep.

- Night, son.

- Night, Ma.

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