seein’ no Gritny people, he answered with polite indifference. Nearly
everybody what had any life in them, and counted for somh’n with the
colored folks, was gone to the country. And all the other ondecent mixtry
they had roamin’ around town, he didn’t care to have no traffic with....
But maybe he would look over his mind, and go to see Aunt Susan and
Tom. Because he got word that Susan was goin’ to give a molasses candy
pullin’, to raise a little money for ole Unc’ Foteen. So maybe he would
consider goin’ up the coast, and help out the best way he could....
Every little nickel did some good in the time of need. And the poor ole
man didn’t have so long to live, no-how.... And then he was sure Unc’
Nat would be there to give Susan a hand. You could always look to find
Unc’ Nat any place where they was passin’ around the plate, takin’ up
collection for somebody in trouble.... And any way, he wouldn’t mind
seein’ Unc’ Nat, Sunday. ’Cause Unc’ Nat was one what never fail to make
somebody laugh when they be feelin’ down-casted and onsatafied....
“Well then, fill your glass, and let us drink to a big jubilation at
Susan’s next Sunday,” Mr. Amos told him. “And then, go to bed and rest
yourself, and try to forget your disappointment. You know, we both need
plenty of sleep and rest if we expect to keep young and always look
beautiful.”
“Man, quit yo’ humbug, for Gawd sake,” Felo answered, with a broad smile,
as he filled a glass for Mr. Amos and handed it to him.
Then he poured a glass for himself and drank it down with a sounding
gulp, and looked at Mr. Amos, saying:
“Who ever tol’ you, you was beautiful?... You know good as I know, dat
Miss Ellen, either Ma Fanny, ain’ never rocked either one us on dey lap
no time, an’ say: Go to sleep my pretty baby.”