JIM. [_Entering, looking back_.] Say, Joe, women are great, ain't they? [_Stands admiringly in doorway_. JOE. [_Slowly coming down, filling pipe_.] Jim! [_Pause_. JIM _doesn't answer, only looks at_ JOE.] You an' me--[_Turns quickly and looks at_ JIM.] You an' me are goin' into the convention together? [JIM _nods once, and chews slowly_.] Agin each other. [JIM _nods and chews. Pause_.] Smoke? [_Offers pipe_. JIM. [_Takes cud from mouth; hesitates--returns it_.] Chew. JOE. Set down. [_They sit_. JIM _left of table_--JOE _to the right in rocker_.] There's somethin' I want to say to you jes' between ourselves. _Enter_ MRS. VERNON. MRS. VERNON. [_Comes back of table between the men_.] I reckon he's comfortable. JOE. Jim an' me's talkin' a minute, ma. MRS. VERNON. [_Reassuredly_.] Well, I got my work. [_Exit_. JOE. Jim--[JIM _looks at him_.] I been a figurin' an' I've calculated they's a difference of about $600 'tween you an' me. JIM. [_Placidly_.] How? JOE. [_Rising, and closing door. Returns_.] When my Kate got through the public school, you said she ought to go to college. [JIM _nods_.] I didn't think so--I admit now I was a durn fool. [JIM _nods_.] You said she had to go--an' she went--to Linenwood. [JIM _chews_.] When she come back she taught me everything I know--I don't think I could go afore this convention if it wasn't for what Kate's learned me--Jim, I'm ashamed to say so, but I let you pay her schoolin'--I've figured out it's a round six hundred dollars--an' I'm goin' to pay you every-- JIM. [_Impressively points at him with his whole hand_.] See here-- [_After a fateful pause, rises_.] Don't you ever say that to me agen. [_Turns away_. JOE. [_Half-rising, anxiously_.] Why, Jim? JIM. [_Turning. Threatens_.] Never. JOE. Tain't nothin' to make trouble 'tween us, Jim. JIM. [_Pauses--growls slowly_.] Whatever I done--was done--have you ever said a word to her about it? JOE. Nobody knows it, Jim, but you an' me. JIM. Man to man? JOE. Man to man. JIM. [_Slightly relieved_.] Well, I done it fur her--an' whenever I hear her purty voice--soft an' low like verses out of a book--whenever I look at her face--purtier than them pictures they put in the cigar-boxes--and her hands soft and baby-like--I feel 'way down here that I helped do some of that. An' do you think, Joe Vernon, that I'd sell out? No, sir, not by a damned sight! JOE. But look here, Jim, think of me. We're going in that convention together--agin each other--for the same office, and if you was to tell-- JIM. [_Sharp turn._] _Tell!_ Don't move--but jus' draw breath enough to take that back. JOE. [_Putting out his hand._] Jim! JIM. [_Pause._] Why, if anybody'd said you could a _thought_ them things! JOE. [_Pleadingly._] _Jim!_ JIM. [_Long pause._] Well, there--[_Takes_ JOE'S _hand._ _Enter_ MRS. VERNON. MRS. VERNON. [_Nervously._] Joe, I've a notion to holler to Kate to run home. I don't like her walkin' with that man. JOE. What man?