Shin watched him with intense curiosity. He picked up a straw and gave him little pushes to assist his progress, then he suddenly took a breath which threatened to suck in all the air in the stable-yard.
“Bless Gawd!” he exclaimed with heartfelt gratitude. “It’s a shore, certain fack!”
He tossed the worm aside, pocketed the money and made a beeline to the Hen-Scratch saloon.
That popular resort was crowded with the colored inhabitants of Tickfall. They raved and bellowed and drank and laughed and rattled the money in their pockets and discussed the races of the day.
Shin entered quietly, and after a few minutes he picked up a table and set it in the middle of the room, placing a chair beside it. Seating himself with great ceremony, he put his silver dollar in the center of the table and placed his copper cent on top of the dollar.
The noise of talking and laughing ceased and the negroes crowded around Shin Bone.
Like all negroes, Shin had a dramatic gift, and he played it to the limit. His actions were attended by no explanations and had an air of deep mystery. Then he spoke:
“Whut nigger in dis house is got a fishin’ worm?”
There was a long, astonished silence. Finally Pap Curtain spoke:
“Whut you want wid a fishin’ worm, Shinny? Want to eat yo’ breakfust?”