I put it all over em last night, Major, he began
exultantly. Up here wedont look at things just as you people do. He bowedgraciously,
and politely motioned them each to a seat.
I am truly sorry you took offense, he said
regretfully. We must have money, said Miss Lydia, with a little wrinkle above
hernose.
And how did you know we were in
Washington?
I will go tohis hotel at once and see what
arrangement has been made.
He was quitedecently dressed in a baggy suit of
black.
I must attend to this at once, Lydia, he said. Miss
Lydia uttered alittle, ambiguous squeak and crumpled her program in her
hand.
The rental of a small housewhich they still owned
in Mobile was two months in arrears.
The Colonel paused, with astately bow to the
impassive Judge.
When I first got to Newbraska,dey folks come all
roun me to see dem mule colts.
Old-fashioned, too, she was; but antebellum glory
did not radiate fromher as it did from the Major.
I thought you would be pleased to witness itsfirst
production in Washington. Old mars bein long ago dead, dedebt descends to Mars
Pendleton. The negro flew to the closet joyfully, and brought out the bottle. The
Colonel artistically paused after this thunderous denunciation.
I must attend to this at once, Lydia, he
said.
I am truly sorry you took offense, he said
regretfully.
Half thepatrons of that theater are Southerners.
Something alive and tangible hadcome to link them with the happy past. They kept
coming in sopersistently and so often. Hotchkissscounsel had joined in the laugh
affectedly, but Hotchkiss himself wasashy pale.
Well, said Miss Lydia, I can hardly be expected to
remember you,Uncle Mose, at that age. Kindly get me myumbrella and I will go
downtown immediately.
The smile of the audience had become a laugh. Uncle
Mose am a delicate, he explained, to de grand Baptisconvention in dis
city.
Me and my old oman done raised up sebm chillun, and
alldoin well cept two of em what died. Miss Lydia sat immovable, not daring to
glance toward her father.
Before he could rise, she pulled him back into his
seat. Dey aint see nomules like dem in Newbraska. In my profession, all life belongs
to me. The Major inquired what the old man was doing so far from his
home.
I confess I should like to see the
performancemyself. Hargraves was ambitious, and often spoke of hisgreat desire to
succeed in legitimate comedy.
Miss Lydiacalled her father to a
consultation.
This is Aunt Cindys Mose, Lydia, explained the
Major.