I am." Jim looked at me a minit, then he said, "You're getting dam nice
lately, what's the matter with you?" I thought a minit and then I said,
"Yes, I'm different, I know it, but I've had most two years of not
havin' to be scared to death, not having to look over my shoulder for
fear a cop was following me to find out about some of you. I've been
able to read the papers without being scared I'd see some of your names
in it, and I've been allowed to work in peace. And I've done good work
too, I've been able to leave the rotten joints and I'm workin' up, and
I'd get to the top if I was left alone. Why the only peace I've had in
all my life has been the last year when you and Dad and Kate was all in
jail. I been able to sleep nights knowing where you all was and that you
couldn't be doing nothing to get in trouble."

Jim said, "Oh, can the hot air. I want the kid, I'm going to get out,
but I'm going to take him with me." I said, "Yes, you are, _nit_." Jim
looked at me kind of curiously for a minit and said, "What are you so
crazy about him for, why do you want him?" I said, "I don't know what I
want him for. I don't know, but you won't have him. He's the first thing
I ever had in my life that's sweet and clean, and he's the first thing
that ever loved me without thinking what they could make out of me. Why,
when he was in the country and he'd come to the gate to meet me, with
his eyes shining with love and his face all dimpling with laughs, I'd
choke up and some times not be able to speak. Billy's made me _live_.
He's made something new come to me, he's made me see all life
different, and I'm going to pay him back for what he's done for me by
giving him a chance." Jim laughed, "You give him a chance," he said,
"what kind of a chance can you give him?" I said, "I don't know for
sure. I ain't got it all figured out, but he's going to have his chance
to grow up like other men." Jim acted sore again and said, "Ah--what's
the use of talking. We're wasting time. I want money and I'm going to
have the kid. If I can't find him I'll put the gang wise, and some of
them'll find him all right." At that I think I just went off my head,
and I didn't care whether the police heard me or not. I said, "Jim,
don't you _dare_ to try to take Billy. Don't you _dare_ to put any of
your dirty gang on to get him away from me. I tell you I'll peach on
you. I'll find out where you're hiding and I'll bring the police there
myself. I'll fight for Bil