Obadiah sneezed.
“God bless you,” Virginia whispered.
“Take those things out of my nose,” protested Obadiah.
“You look so beautiful,” the girl giggled. “Doesn’t he, Serena?”
The colored woman watched the proceedings with great gravity. “Leave you’ Daddy ’lone, chil’,” she urged. “De breakfus gwine be ruined.”
Obadiah released himself from his daughter’s embrace and the blossoms dropped in a glowing mass upon the table. “Eat your breakfast and stop this foolishness,” he told her.
“I’ll eat anything you’ll give me, Daddy dear. I am as hungry as a bear.” She glanced at the clock. “It’s late. I must hurry to get over to the hospital.”
“What for?” he asked in apparent surprise.
“To see the man who was hurt yesterday. I spoke to you about it.”
“Yes, but upon reflection I think it inadvisable. You might catch some disease in a place like that. You must think of yourself.”