“I claim that was a powerful brave woman, takin’ her own life in her hands to save that fool husband of hers.”
“I don’t see nothin’ so brave about it,” said his friend. “Anybody would do that.”
“Like hell they would! Spose’n some bear had your wife down and was fixin’ to claw her to death—what would you do?”
“Me? I’d give three loud ringin’ cheers.”
§ 292 The Passive Rôle
It is set forth that during the Civil War a young officer in the Union Army was taking a stroll along a road in Virginia when he met an old negro man and engaged him in conversation. The ancient darky returned such quaint answers to the Northerner’s questions that the latter was moved to quiz him humorously.
“Uncle,” he said, “you know, don’t you, that this war between us and the Rebs is largely on your account?”
“Yas, sah, dat’s whut I done heared ’em say.”
“Well, you crave to have your freedom, don’t you?”
“I ’spects I does.”