Emma worked on, secretly relieved and at the same time puzzled. She had
thought that she understood her daughter thoroughly, but apparently she
didn't. Emma herself wanted desperately to shop in Independence, but
knew that she'd never dare go alone. She'd expected Barbara to be a
little afraid too, and thought the two of them might lean on each other.
But there had been only happy and eager enthusiasm in the girl's voice.
Barbara had a self-confidence and self-assurance that Emma had never
possessed, and that was good.
"Ahm heah to help you, ma'am."
Emma turned, a little startled, but when she saw the enormous colored
man, she smiled. She had an instinctive perception that enabled her to
understand people, and there was no harm in the colored giant. Emma
looked at the load of boards, a load that any ordinary man would have
found difficult to carry over his shoulder, that Sam held almost
effortlessly under his arm. The Negro said,
"Ahm s'posed to make you a table, ma'am."
"Well, let's see," Emma smiled again. "We shouldn't have it too near the
fire. How about over there under the first tree?"
"Shu-ah, ma'am."
At a snail-like pace, the colored man carried his load to the shade of
the first tree and began building a table. Tad came with more stones and
Emma told him,
"That will be plenty, Tad."
"Can I help you, Ma?"
"There doesn't seem to be anything to do right now."
"Can I go up by Pa? He might need help."
"Yes, but be careful."
"I will," and Tad raced off with Mike leaping at his heels.
Emma glanced at her younger children, who were still occupied with their
captive frog. Somewhere they had found a discarded jar, put wet grass in
it, and were keeping their pet there.