Read Online The Gardener's Son by Cormac McCarthy - Free Book Online

myself. Not for him even. Mrs Gregg. Much as he loved his boys I believe your husband would of wanted you to do somethin . . .
    M RS G REGG The poor and the downtrodden. He was so cynical.
    M ARTHA They’d just as well put that rope around Daddy’s neck when they get done. Mrs. Gregg.
    Mrs Gregg has turned and taken up the hell. She rings it vigorously as if to drown out the pleas of the supplicant. Her eyes are almost shut.
    M ARTHA I meant not to ast nothin of ye. But afore God . . .
    Mrs Gregg rings the hell again. The maid appears in the doorway, eyes wide at the urgency of the hell.
    M RS G REGG Daphne, the young lady will be leaving now. Will you show her out?
    M AID Yes Mam.
    The maid comes forward and takes Martha by the elbow.
    M ARTHA I dont blame you Mam.
    M RS G REGG Please leave.
    Martha turns to the door. She stops and looks back a final time at Mis Gregg.
    M ARTHA God bless you Mam.
    Mrs Gregg turns from her and puts her hands over her ears.
    Interior. The photographer's shop. Day. A flash of powder from the photographers lights and then Robert McEvoy's portrait staring straight ahead. Then the photographer moving behind his shroud, coming out and attending to his camera. McEvoy sitting in front of a painted backdrop of the period perhaps with Greek columns. He wears a stiff new suit and his hair is cut. In the corner of the shop sits a guard with a rifle across his knees. The photographer comes forward.
    P HOTOGRAPHER Now, Mr McEvoy just turn slightly sideways here. Yes. That’s it. No, look toward the camera. That’s the way. We’ll take a three-quarter view. Sit up straight now.
    The photographer takes his camera back several paces.
    M C E VOY Will my leg show?
    P HOTOGRAPHER No no. Not at all. This will just be from about the waist up.
    The photographer ducks under his shroud again and the flashpowder explodes. McEvoy sits stiffly even after the picture is taken. The photographer comes forward.
    P HOTOGRAPHER I think that should do it now, Mr McEvoy.
    McEvoy rises and takes up his crutch and the guard rises with his rifle.
    P HOTOGRAPHER Will you, eh . . . Will you be wanting to see these? I mean, should I just have them sent directly to the family?
    M C E VOY Yeah. Sure. I dont need to see em.
    P HOTOGRAPHER Well fine. I would like to ask you . . . Well I’d like to ask if you had any objection to me makin some copies. Like maybe make some copies of one of the pitchers . . .
    McEvoy has taken a step toward the door, the guard behind him. He turns and squints at the photographer.
    M C E VOY What for?
    P HOTOGRAPHER Well, to have them. I thought maybe to print some, you know . . .
    M C E VOY To sell.
    P HOTOGRAPHER Well I thought perhaps your family might could use the money.
    McEvoy turns to the guard.
    M C E VOY What do you think, Virgil?
    G UARD Well, I dont know Bob. Just whatever you think.
    The guard has, looked down. McEvoy turns back to the photographer.
    P HOTOGRAPHER I would be willing to share any... anything realized—on, say, a fifty fifty basis . . .
    M C E VOY I’ll tell ye what I think. Virgil. I think we better go.
    G UARD Sure Bob.
    The guard glances at the photographer and comes past McEvoy and holds the door for him. McEvoy goes out. At the door he stops and looks back in at the photographer.
    M C E VOY I dont give a big rats ass. If people are dumb enough to buy em. Dont you let my family know where the money come from. Virgil, you see about it for me, will ye?
    G UARD Sure will, Bob.
    Exterior. Main street. Day. McEvoy and the guard go up the street together. People watch covertly from doors or windows. McEvoy blinks in the sunlight and looks about. He sees a man he knows crossing to a store building. The man glances his way and looks away again as if he hadnt seen him. McEvoy calls to him.
    M C E VOY Mornin, Louis.
    The man goes on into the store.
    M C E VOY Go on then, you son of a bitch. If you dont know me.
    McEvoy turns to look at the guard walking beside him but his eye