“I guess he don’t need me to teach him swear words,” she told herself in a whisper.

Then she went down to the kitchen, where Matty sat dreaming over a wood fire.


28

CHAPTER II

A WHITE PRESENCE

“Does yer pa want me?” grunted Matty, lifting a tousled black head.

Virginia made a gesture of negation.

“No, he told me to get the hell out,” she answered. “So I got! He’s awful sick! I guess mebbe he’ll die!”

Matty nodded meaningly.