I ordered the sergeant in charge of the detail to post sentries while the rest of us relaxed as best we could on the well-beaten path. At one point, a... I sat in the dirt, I inadvertently placed my gloved hand on the vegetation at its margin. Even through the material of the hazard suit, I could feel the plants writhing, withdrawing from the pressure of my palm. I lifted my glove to watch the last bit of green crowd in amongst its neighbors, leaving the spot where my hand had rested bare.Four. . I'm a little scared, but I'm also kind of excited, and I don't know what to do."I came out from behind the bar, and stood in front of her, turning her on her stool to face me. I cupped her face in my hands, and looked deeply into her eyes. "The first thing you should do is kiss me. Then we'll see about all the other feelings. If they go away because of the kiss, then we'll stop, and you'll finish your drink and leave. Otherwise ... well let's try the kiss first, okay?"She nodded slightly, and. I went back tothe bar for another bud and bought a round of beers and whisky for theold drunks. I walked over to them and set down the drinks and took aseat. They just said, "Why thanks young fellow." Then they asked thesame question. When I told them I wasn't headed for Toonwhich theybegan to laugh and said, "You don't want to go there." They changed thesubject and asked me what my story was as they pounded down the drinks.I waved to the bar and bought another round. If I could get them. Hell, we could of supplied several states ifen we had more than just wagons ta do the haulin'.Me an' Jane talked 'bout puttin' up more manufacturin' plants spaced 'round the country, but we decided that we jus' wuzn't ready fer that, yet. Maybe later, but right now, we had all we could do ta keep track of our one plant.The craziest thin' 'bout our operation wuz that we sold every piece of meat what we could process, but we wuz still bein' hounded by White folks complainin' 'bout us hirin'.