“Well, I kine o' fergit,” Genesis admitted, resuming his work with the freezer. “Seem like I rickalect SOMEBODY got name good deal like what I say, 'cause some mighty blue-vein names at 'at dinnuh-potty, yessuh! But I on'y git to be 'nouncer one time, 'cause Fanny tellin' me nex' fam'ly have dinnuh-potty make heap o' fun. Say I done my 'nouncin' GOOD, but say what's use holler'n' names jes' fer some the neighbors or they own aunts an' uncles to walk in, when ev'ybody awready knows 'em? So Fanny pummote me to waituh, an' I roun' right in amongs' big doin's mos' ev'y night. Pass ice-cream, lemonade, lemon-ice, cake, samwitches. 'Lemme han' you li'l' mo' chicken salad, ma'am'—' 'Low me be so kine as to git you f'esh cup coffee, suh'—'S way ole Genesis talkin' ev'y even' 'ese days!”
Jane looked at him thoughtfully. “Do you like it better than cuttin' grass, Genesis?” she asked.
He paused to consider. “Yes'm—when ban' play all lem TUNES! My goo'ness, do soun' gran'!”
“You can't do it to-night, though, Genesis,” said Jane. “You haf to be quiet on Sunday nights, don't you?”
“Yes'm. 'Ain' got no mo' kaytun till nex' Friday even'.”
“Oh, I bet that's the party for Miss Pratt at Mr. Parcher's!” Jane cried. “Didn't I guess right?”
“Yes'm. I reckon I'm a-go'n' a see one you' fam'ly 'at night; see him dancin'—wait on him at ref'eshmuns.”
Jane's expression became even more serious than usual. “Willie? I don't know whether he's goin', Genesis.”
“Lan' name!” Genesis exclaimed. “He die ef he don' git INvite to 'at ball!”
“Oh, he's invited,” said Jane. “Only I think maybe he won't go.”