To be pitied is the boy who has never framed the word "father" upon his lips. Rodney attempted it once, but failed, and never tried it again. He stood before his father bareheaded and with the coveted word upon his lips.
"You have a fine head of hair," said his father.
"That's what people say," replied Rodney.
"Are you proud of it?"
"Should I not be, sir?"
"Well, my little man, it's a disgrace to you."
This was the first and last meeting of Rodney and his father.
Once two fine ladies of ebony hue visited his mother, to show their silk dresses and to take dinner. A large dish of parched horse-corn was placed in the center of the table. His mother said a solemn blessing, and the ladies looked vexed.
"My dear people," she said, after looking them into a smile, "if you are good, this is good enough. If you are not good, it is too good. In either case, help yourselves."