athery drafts； like rotted lace。 Never had I been in a place that felt so nakedly haunted； and it was right then； as we stood there looking down at the splintered remains of the spool which had caused so much trouble； that my head began to know what my heart had understood ever since John Coffey had walked the Green Mile： I couldn't do this job much longer。 Depression； or no Depression； I couldn't watch many more men walk through my office to their deaths。 Even one more might be too many。
〃I asked my mother for one of her hankies；〃 Brutal said。 〃So when I felt weepy and small； I could sneak it out and smell her perfume and not feel so bad。〃
〃You think … what？ … that mouse chewed off some of that colored spool to remember Delacroix by？ That a mouse …〃
He looked up。 I thought for a moment I saw tears in his eyes； but I guess I was probably wrong about that。 〃I ain't saying nothing； Paul。 But I found them up there； and I smelled peppermint； same as you … you know you did。 And I can't do this no more。 I won't do this no more。 Seeing one more man in that chair'd just about kill me。 I'm going to put in for a transfer to Boys' Correctional on Monday。 If I get it before the next one； that's fine。 If I don't； I'll resign and go back to farming。〃
〃What did you ever farm； besides rocks？〃
〃It don't matter。〃
〃I know it doesn't；〃 I said。 〃I think I'll put in with you。…〃
He looked at me close； making sure I wasn't just having some sport with him； then nodded as if it was a settled thing。 The wind gusted again； strong enough this time to make the beams creak and settle； and we both looked around uneasily at the padded walls。 I think for a moment we could hear William Wharton … not Billy the Kid； not him； he had been 〃Wild Bill〃 to us fro