Excerpt from Suttree by Cormac McCarthy.

Aint this a hell of

a place to get stuck?
Yeah. Good luck.
Listen. How far is it to the next town?
I dont know.
Suttree had started off. Listen, the kid called again.
What?
You got a quarter you could let me have?
Suttree shook his head no.
The kid was walking down toward him. Come on, man, he said. I aint eat in two goddamned days. Hell, fifteen cents. Somethin.
I aint got a dime, Suttree said.
Let’s see.
Suttree watched him. He was standing on the balls of his feet and he looked hungry. What? he said.
I said let’s see. Let’s see you turn your pockets out.
I told you I’m not holding anything.
The kid moved slightly to his left. That’s what you say, he said. I’d like to see.