But,oh,I want to GO--I want to go out THERE--where there ain't no plains and alkali and buffalo-grass--where they's pavements and policemen and people in beautiful clothes.I don't mean NOW,I mean when I have got civilized.She drew herself up proudly.I wouldn't go till I was civilized,till I was like them.She turned impulsively to Brick:But you've got to go with me when I go!I'm going to stay with you till I'm fit to go,and then you're going to stay with me the rest of my life.
Am I fit to go with her?Brick appealed to Bill Atkins.You ain't,Bill replied.
I ain't fit,Brick declared firmly.I'm a-going to fitten you;but it's too late to work on me;and besides,if they WAS time enough,it ain't to the grain of my nature.I knows all I wants to know,which if little or much is enough for me.And I wouldn't be fit to go with you out into the big world and cut a figger in it,which couldn't be no figger but a figger naught.And Atkins who knows more than me,he says the same.
The tears were in Lahoma's eyes.She looked from one to the other,her little face deeply troubled.Suddenly she grabbed up her books and started toward the stove.Then this here civilizing is going to stop,she declared.
Lahoma!Brick cried in dismay.
Yes,it is--unless you promise to stay with me when I go to live in the big world.
Honey,I'll promise you this:When you are ready to live out there,I'll sure go with you and stay with you--if you want me,when the time comes.
Lahoma seized his hand,and jumped up and down in delight.It's a safe promise,remarked Bill Atkins dryly.