the ground； God said to Cain； and I doubt if the words were much of a surprise to that particular problem…child； I bet he heard Abel's blood whining out of the earth at him with each step he took。
The Chief was smiling when I left； perhaps thinking about his lodge in Montana and his wife lying bare…breasted in the light of the fire。 He would be walking in a warmer fire soon； I had no doubt。
I went back up the corridor； and Dean told me about his set…to with Percy the previous night。 I think he'd waited around just so he could； and I listened carefully。 I always listened carefully when the subject was Percy； because I agreed with Dean a hundred per cent … I thought Percy was the sort of man who could cause a lot of trouble； as much for the rest of us as for himself。
As Dean was finishing； old Toot…Toot came by with his red snack…wagon； which was covered with handlettered Bible quotes （〃REPENT for the LORD shall judge his people；〃 Deut。 32：36； 〃And surely your BLOOD of your lives will I require；〃 Gen。 9：5； and similar cheery； uplifting sentiments）； and sold us some sandwiches and pops。 Dean was hunting for change in his pocket and saying that we wouldn't see Steamboat Willy anymore； that goddam Percy Wetmore had scared him off for good； when old Toot…Toot said； 'What's that'ere； then？〃
We looked； and here came the mouse of the hour his ownself； hopping up the middle of the Green Mile。 He'd e a little way； then stop； look around with his bright little oildrop eyes； then e on again。
〃Hey； mouse！〃 The Chief said； and the mouse stopped and looked at him； whiskers twitching。 I tell you； it was exactly as if the damned thing knew it had been called。 〃You some kind of spirit guide？〃
Bitterbuck tossed the mouse a little morsel of cheese