"What is your name?"
"Jake, mehm."
"Jake what?"
"Jes' Jake, mehm. F'om Henderson's."
"Oh, I have a letter about you." She looked about among her papers. "Yes, here; I will tabulate this and see what we can do for you. You may come to the next meeting."
"Yes, mehm."
He hobbled a step or two away in a dazed fashion, when a piercing shriek rang across the room. He started as if a lash had been laid across his back. The little quadroon girl was standing up, holding out two shaking arms to him. The old man blinked.
"I swar I ain't leabin' yo', Till. I gwine t' wait by de do'."
But the little girl flew forward, climbing benches and creeping under the bar. She had nearly reached the old man when the President, leaning forward, said: