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They had beenmerely dark hands holding papers, dark voices that were
over-ingratiating.
They laughed at her like a family who love one
another.
Where could he look at a gathering of them? Im afraid that doesnt
sound toocomplimentary! Cant do nothin with these biggity young Nothnniggahs,
no suh!
Certainly he had never looked at the Negrocallers who had arranged with
him for bank loans.
They were all seated now, though only Neil looked settled
andcomfortable.
It makes me mad that he should have to be almostobsequious to a
louse of a bank clerk like me.
Where could he look at a gathering of them? He
had never done much in the youthfully-beseeching line; yet, hewas solicitous
now with Emerson. Daddy, I never did have such alovely birthday, not in all my
life.
And in just the tone of Vestals mother then, Mrs.
He was wearing a
blue-gray herring-bone suitexactly like the newest pride of Neils father.
It
makes me mad that he should have to be almostobsequious to a louse of a bank
clerk like me. She sleeps with every no-countniggah in town.
He was, in fact,
deciding, This Davis is a bright-looking fellow.
Well, Kingsblood, there is a
chance for you, if you canrecognize your superiors.
What Neil was trying to
say, without offense, was betterunderstanding of Negroes. Biddy romped up to
him, her eyes diamonds for happiness.
Thatgentle fusser fussed gently, Got any
furtherer on our royal path,Neilly?
Judge Cass Timberlane had once said that
Dr.
I said to them,Hes about my oldest friend, that boy, and am I proud of him!
But, at whatever risk of being snubbed, Neilwasnt having it. On his way home,
he stopped for a cocktail with his father.
Im sure I didnt act like that when I
was in high school andOberlin.
Honestly, Wash, I had no idea of laughing.
I
shall go softlyall my days in the bitterness of my soul.
My father and mother,
and this young lady is my niece,Phoebe. Besides,our customers would kick like
hell!
On aplatform in front was a choir of nine girls in black gowns andmortar
boards. It makes me mad that he should have to be almostobsequious to a louse
of a bank clerk like me. Well, they were waiting, and he tried to speak
out.
The Woolcapes stared at him with a silence that could become eitherwelcome
or hostility.
Honestly, Wash, I had no idea of laughing.
The little bell
quacked, and the amiable crowd bobbed slowly up thesteps, shyly followed by
Neil. Where could he look at a gathering of them? Neil was not conscious of how
humble he had become to this venerableelder of his race.
He sat down between
twocolored people and they seemed to him very much like people.
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