Vinegar Atts alone retained his seat by the door and seemed to be unconscious of what was happening. They looked at him in wonder, not speaking a word.
After a while Vinegar stood up, opened the door which entered into the church auditorium, and returned with a new lamp chimney. Wiping it out carefully with a soiled bandanna handkerchief, he adjusted it upon the lamp, and said in a cordial voice:
“Come in, brudders! Us is done had excitements, but dis meetin’ ain’t bust up yit!”
The darkies timidly re-entered the room and sat down on the edge of their chairs ready for flight upon the least provocation.
After giving them time to recover their composure, Vinegar said:
“Brudder Chairman, I figger dat it would be doin’ de high perlite ef you axed fer a speech from de preacher whut is done served dis communion to de best of his ability fer twenty year.”
“Dat’s right, Elder!” Pap Curtain said heartily. “Us ’ll shore be glad to hear yo’ cormitmints!”
Vinegar hesitated a moment, then spoke impressively:
“Brudders, I believes dat a preacher oughter hab some things besides good clothes, spindlin’ shanks, a ’rousement voice an’ a appertite fer good grub. Does you’all believe dat?”
No one answered the question, but after a pause Pap Curtain inquired: