“Red Gulch, sir. 12–9–3

Is spilling lach on Mary Black;

Have Jane retaliate.”

Two minutes more and he hears Jane roar,

While he thinks this hymn of hate:

“That north forty must look pretty,

Head high, now, and ears all set;

And the haystacks in the meadow—

Wonder if they’ve mowed it yet?

Crickets clicking in the stubble;