On Saturday evening there was to be a meeting of the Chapter, and on Tuesday Serena returned from committee with the joyful news that Gertrude was to be admitted to membership at that meeting. The young lady expressed herself as delighted. Cousin Percy extended congratulations. Captain Dan said nothing. Later, he visited Azuba in the kitchen, and there he received another shock.
Azuba was not, as usual, busy with her cooking or scrubbing. She was seated in a chair by the window, reading a paper. She looked up as he entered, but immediately resumed her reading. The captain waited for her to speak. As a general thing he did not have to wait.
“Hello, Zuba,” he hailed.
Azuba turned a page of the paper. She did not answer.
“Hello!” he hailed again. “What's the matter, Zuba? Gone into a trance, have you?”
“Hey?” Azuba did look up then, but at once looked down again. “Hey?” she repeated. “No, I ain't in no trance. I'm readin', that's all.”
“I should think that was enough, if it fixes you so you can't speak to anybody. Must be mighty interestin' readin'.”
“Hey? Interestin'? I guess 'tis interestin'! It's more'n that, it's upliftin', too. I'm just beginnin' to realize what I am.”
“That so? Well, what are you?”
“I'm a woman, that's what I am.”