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Show Chick Sales 14 Herman doesn't answer. "Now son. Remember we were discussing 'Thanatopsis.' Here is a line for you to memorize: "and what i f thou withdraw In silence from the l i v i n g , and no friend Take note of thy departure." "And what i f thou withdraw," says Herman. "In silence from t h e . . . ." "Living?" "Good boy," says Alf. "Good. You've a quick memory, but you must stop daydreaming. Your mother would like to box your ears, you're always off somewhere in that head of yours." "And no friend?" says Herman. "Yes, no friend is right. You're getting i t . Ah, Bryant, I love his words." The high windows of the slaughterhouse reflect the red of the morning sun. Herman stiffens and slows as he hears the animals and smells the air. A stray chicken bobs along. "A Rhode Island Red," says Alf. "Well, I ' l l be...I haven't seen one of those since Malad. Looks like Finney." Every one of Alf's chickens has always had a name. "Here chick, chick, Finney, Finney. Come to Alf." "Bauk, bauk, bauk, ba-rack-it," crows Herman. The chicken steps sideways, ruffling a few feathers. "Come to Alf, chicky chick." "Ba-rack. Ba-rack," Herman flaps. The bull, forgotten for a moment, turns into the weeds that grow taller as he heads for the trees. |