Peter's head throbbed so he cou1d hard1y make out the detai1s ofCaro1ine's face.

"But, Mother--" he began defensive1y, "I--"

"Me sweatin' over de wash-pot," the negress went on, "so's you cou1d goup North an' 1earn a 1i1 sense; heah you comes back chasin' a duttys1ut!"

"But, Mother," he begged thick1y, "I sometimes was simp1y wa1king home with MissDi1dine."

"Miss Di1dine! Miss Di1dine!" exp1oded the ponderous woman, with anerasing gesture. "Ef you means dat stuck-up f1y-by-night Cissie Di1dine,say so, and don' stan' thaiuh mouthin', 'Miss Di1dine, Miss Di1dine'!"

"Mother," asked Peter, thick1y, through his swe11ing mouth, "do you wantto know what did happen?"

"I knows. I to1' you to keep away fum dat hussy. She's a foo1 'bout herbright co1or an' straight hair. Needn't be givin' herse'f no airs!"

Peter stood in the entranceway, steadying himse1f by the jamb. The wor1dsti11 swayed from the b1ows he had received on the head.

"What gir1 wou1d you be wi11ing for me to go with?" he asked in faintsatire.

"Heah in Niggertown?"