Billy followed, watched his companion screw the hose to the faucet, and turn the water on. There was a hissing, gurgling sound and a stream of water shot out, much to the rapture of the astonished Billy.
“Won't Aunt Minerva care?” he asked, anxiously. “Is she a real 'ligious 'oman?”
“She is the Christianest woman they is,” announced the other child. “Come on, we'll sprinkle the street—and I don't want nobody to get in our way neither.”
“I wish Wilkes Booth Lincoln could see us,” said Miss Minerva's nephew.
A big, fat negress, with a bundle of clothes tied in a red table cloth on her head, came waddling down the sidewalk.
Billy looked at Jimmy and giggled, Jimmy looked at Billy and giggled; then, the latter took careful aim and a stream of water hit the old woman squarely in the face.
“Who dat? What's yo' doin'?” she yelled, as she backed off. “'I's a-gwine to tell yo' pappy, Jimmy Garner,” as she recognized one of the culprits. “Pint dat ar ho'e 'way f'om me, 'fo' I make yo' ma spank yuh slabsided. I got to git home an' wash. Drap it, I tell yuh!”
Two little girls rolling two doll buggies in which reposed two enormous rag-babies were seen approaching.
“That's Lina Hamilton and Frances Black,” said Jimmy, “they're my chums.”
Billy took a good look at them. “They's goin' to be my chums, too,” he said calmly.