“I hyuh tell dere ain’t no such t’ing fuh de w’ite folks; but de nigger need um so bad, I ain’t see no reason why I can’t mek up one wut sati’fy de nigger? He seem tuh work berry well, too, till dat sof’ mout’ gentleman come ’roun’ an’ onsettle all my client.”
A groan floated through the window to Porgy’s ears, causing him to indulge in a slow, malicious smile. Then in a pained voice the negro lawyer proceeded: “He been keepin’ me alibe, Boss. An’ wut mo’, he keep de nigger straight. Dis gentleman say dat dey gots tuh lib tuhgedduh anyhow till dey done dead. Dat’s de law, he say. But nigger ain’t mek dataway. I done get um all properly moralize, and dis same gentleman tell um dat my paper ain’t no mo’ dan a license tuh ’dulterate. So now dey just leabe each odduh anyhow, and I ain’t gets no dollar. An’ now he say he goin’ jail me, wut mo’!”
There was a moment of silence, then Porgy heard Archdale’s voice calling a number; then: “Hello! Is that the Solicitor’s office? Mr. Dennis, please.”
“Oh—this is Archdale, Dennis. Yes, another negro. This time it is Frasier, you know, the divorce decree case. Yes, I have him here in my office. Look here; you have a terrifically heavy docket this term. There is no use taking the State’s money and your valuable time on this case.”
There followed a pause; then Archdale said hastily, “Oh, no; I am not trying anything; but he is perfectly innocent of any deliberate wrongdoing. Yes, of course; it would be serious if he were responsible; but you know no one takes old Frasier seriously. A no-bill from the grand jury would save no end of time and trouble.
“Yes; I will guarantee that he will stop.”
Porgy listened intently; and after a moment he heard Archdale say, “Thank you,” and turn his chair toward his client. Then he heard him address the negro.
“We are not going to lock you up this time, Simon. But you will have to stop divorcing your people. I have given my word. If you do it again, snap! to jail we both go. Do you understand?”
A relieved gasp greeted the announcement, followed by “Gawd bless yuh, Boss!” and a moment later Frasier stood blinking in the white glare of the street.
Porgy looked up, and in an exact imitation of Frasier’s professional manner, said testily, “Mobe on, please; mobe on. I gots a berry perlite goat hyuh wut objec’ tuh de smell ob de jail-bird.”