Porgy was seated in a low chair near the door. He was smoking contentedly, and the odd tension that had characterized him, even in his moments of silent thought, had given place to a laxed attitude of body and an expression of well-being.
An infinitesimal negro passed with a whistle and a double shuffle.
“Look hyuh, sonny!” called Porgy.
The boy paused, hesitated, and advanced slowly. Porgy held out a large round ball, striped red and white. “How ’bout er sweet?” he said a little self-consciously. The boy took the candy, and shuffled uneasily from foot to foot.
“Dat’s right,” said Porgy, with a burst of sudden, warm laughter, that somehow startled the child. “Now yuh come again an’ see Porgy an’ Bess.”
III
