He heard himself discussed, genially but
firmly.
The other day, in thebathroom, I read a label
facial tissues as racial issues.
Denver agreed, Yes, hes a fine old
fellow.
Well, perhaps its something to be proud of. Its too
complex forcountry-folks like Vestal and me. Miss Sophie Concord did not tease him
for having been snubbed byhis ex-cook.
Oh, I think all these darky waiters mean
well.
As always, all of them, including Phil Windeck,
roared at hisplight. Flashes like that, thrown off without effort. Neil lumbered in,
explaining that he had never forgotten Dr.
Sophie is a conscientious uplifter and
record-keeper.
I thought you never went no place except to
teachSunday school. Its too complex forcountry-folks like Vestal and me. Biddy had
been allowed to stay up long enough to greet herUncle Rod, and she swarmed all over
him. Denver agreed, Yes, hes a fine old fellow.
But the white scholarswont accept me, so I try to
become an ardent race-crusader.
But they aint so mean to you and dont lieabout you
so much if you help em. Aint but one way to handle a white man:
uncle-tomhim.
I think you have some quite special interest in the
race.
Jat Snood, who wasprobably the nastiest piece of
goods in Grand Republic.
Vestal, remembering old days, kept singing, Coon,
coon, coon, howI wish my color would fade.
It was better to laugh at the Thankless Republic
than togrow faint and whining.
Thatsbecause almost every evening I stay
home.
Kingsblood, you mustdo a lot of fishing in the
Arrowhead country.
Nothing could be more important, because shell be a
little girlonly once, you know.
Wouldnt you like to play with them, play scoutsand
make campfires and everything?
How could you help feeling thatrhythm, little
Neil?
Theybelonged to a world that was closed to Our Mr.
But the Sophie who had just been advertising the unrestrained joysof the jungle was
reluctant.
Oh, I think all these darky waiters mean well.
Kingsblood,may I disturb you for a minute?
No colored fellow evermade as many millions as he
has, and that takes brains. She had, indeed, everything, except anyindividuality
whatsoever. But you know, I think this house is the symbolof my shame.