that sort of thing. And I've never gone up against a lawyer like Goode." He put his glasses
back on, seeing clearly for perhaps the first time all day. "And I wouldn't want to promise
you something I can't deliver."
This line stood between diem like a wall of flames.
"I believe in you, Cotton. Whatever happens, I believe in you. I wanted you to know
that."
"Why in the world do you have faith in me? Haven't I done nothing except let you down?
Quoted miserable poetry that can't change anything."
"No, all you've tried to do is help."
"I can never be the man your father was, Lou. In fact, I'm really not good for all that
much, it appears."
Lou stood beside him. "Will you promise me one thing, Cotton? Will you promise you
won't ever leave us?"
After a few moments Cotton cupped the girl's chin and said in a halting voice mat in no
way lost its strength, "I will stay for as long as all of you will have me."
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE, FORDS, CHEVYS, AND Chryslers were slant-parked next to
wagons pulled by mules and horses. A dusting of snow had given pretty white toppers to
just about everything, yet no one was paying any attention to that. They had all hurried
into the courthouse to see a much grander show.
The courtroom had never held so many souls. The seats on the main floor were filled.
Folks even stood in the back and were sandwiched five deep on the second-floor balcony.
There were town men in suits and ties, women in church dresses and boxy hats with veils
and fake flowers or dangling fruit. Next to them were farmers in clean overalls and felt
hats held in hand, their chew stashed in meir pockets. Their women were beside them,
Chop dresses to the ankles and wire glasses over worn, creased faces. They looked
around the room excitedly as though they were about to see a queen or movie star stroll
in.
Children were wedged here and there among the adults like mortar between brick. To get
a better look, one boy climbed up on the railing around the balcony and clung to a
support column. A man hauled him down and sternly told him that this was a court of law
and dignity was required here, not tomfoolery. The ashamed boy trudged off. And then
the man chmbed up on the railing for a better look-see himself.
Cotton, Lou, and Oz were heading up the steps of the courthouse when a boy in an
overcoat, slacks, and shiny black shoes ran up to them.
"My pa says you're doing wrong by the whole town on account of one woman. He said
we got to have the gas folks here, any way we can." The little fellow looked at Cotton as
though the lawyer had spit on the boy's mother and then laughed about it.
"Is that right?" said Cotton. "Well, I respect your daddy's opinion, though I don't agree
with it. Now, you tell him if he wants to discuss it with me in person later, I'd be right
glad to do so." Cotton glanced around and saw someone who he was sure was the child's
father, for the boy favored the man and he had been staring at them, but quickly looked
away. Cotton glanced at all the cars and wagons and then said to the boy, "You and your
daddy better get yourselves inside and get a seat. Looks to be a right popular spot today."
When they entered the courtroom, Cotton was still amazed at the numbers in attendance.
Yet, the hard work of farming was over for now, and people had time on their hands. And
for the townsfolk it was an accessible show promising fireworks at a fair price. It seemed
they were determined to miss not one legal trick, not one semantical headlock. For many
this probably would be the most exciting time of their lives. And wasn't that a sad thing,
Cotton thought.
Yet, he knew the stakes here were high. A place dying once more only perhaps to be
revitalized by a deep-pocketed company. And all he had to lay against that was an old
woman lying in a bed, her senses seemingly struck from her. And there were also two
anxious children counting on him; and lying in another bed a woman who maybe he
could lose his heart to if only she would awaken. Lord, how was he ever going to survive
this?
"Find a seat," Cotton told the children. "And keep quiet."
Lou gave him a peck on the cheek. "Good luck." She crossed her fingers for him. A
farmer they knew made room for them in one of the rows of seats.
Cotton went up the aisle, nodding at people he recognized in the crowd. Smack in me
front row were Miller and Wheeler.
Goode was at the counsel table, seeming as happy as a hungry man at a church supper as
he looked around at a crowd that seemed famished to witness this contest.
"You ready to have a go at this?" said Goode.
"As ready as you are," Cotton replied gamely.