“’Tain’t hard to understan’, brudders,” Green Trapps began, as he surveyed the assembly through his gold-rimmed spectacles, and smiled at them benevolently. “De Silliway Female Institoot is got two hon’able degrees to bestow on two deservin’ preachers of de cullud race, an’ de Revun Vinegar Atts is ’lected to git one. De female institoot will make him a doctor fer fifty dollars.”
“We don’t want Vinegar made no female doctor!” Figger Bush squeaked.
“We don’t make him no female doctor,” Green explained patiently. “We makes him a D.D.—a Doctor of Dervinity.”
“Is you one of dem things you mentions?” Pap Curtain, a tall, yellow negro, asked in a snarling voice.
“Naw, suh, I ain’t no preacher. I’s wid a kawlidge. Therefo’ I’s a D.V.”
“Is dar any more D.D.’s in dis town?” Pap asked.
“Dar ain’t but one an’ he’s white,” Green replied. “His name is Revun Dr. Sentelle, D.D.”
“Dar now!” Pap Curtain exclaimed exultantly. “I think I ketch on. Dis here female kawlidge wants to fix Vinegar up like Revun Sentelle—make him sound dis way: De Revun Dr. Vinegar Atts, D.D. Is dat de notion?”
“Yes, suh,” Green grinned. “Dat’s a bird’s-eye view!”
Pap ran his hand into his capacious pocket and brought forth a silver dollar. He dropped it with a loud thump beside Skeeter’s money on the altar.