In the hall, near the open front door, he came to a sudden halt, and Mrs. Baxter and Jane heard him calling loudly to the industrious Genesis:
“Here! You go cut the grass in the back yard, and for Heaven's sake, take that dog with you!”
“Grass awready cut roun' back,” responded the amiable voice of Genesis, while the lawnmower ceased not to whir. “Cut all 'at back yod 's mawnin'.”
“Well, you can't cut the front yard now. Go around in the back yard and take that dog with you.”
“Nemmine 'bout 'at back yod! Ole Clem ain' trouble nobody.”
“You hear what I tell you?” William shouted. “You do what I say and you do it quick!”
Genesis laughed gaily. “I got my grass to cut!”
“You decline to do what I command you?” William roared.
“Yes, indeedy! Who pay me my wages? 'At's MY boss. You' ma say, 'Genesis, you git all 'at lawn mowed b'fo' sundown.' No, suh! Nee'n' was'e you' bref on me, 'cause I'm got all MY time good an' took up!”
Once more William presented himself fatefully to his mother and Jane. “May I just kindly ask you to look out in the front yard?”