"I'll give you fair warning. There are plenty of negroes to-day your equal in wealth and culture. Do you think they have been listening to their great leader's call to battle for nothing—building fine houses, buying land, piling up money, sending their sons and daughters to college, to come at your beck and call? You're a fool if you do. They are only waiting their chance to demand social equality and get it. Wealth and culture will give it in the end, ballot or no ballot. Once rich, white men and women will come at their command. I've got my chance now to demand my rights of you and do a turn for the negro race. You've got to recognize Helen before your son. I've brought her here for that purpose. With her by my side, I'll be the mistress of this house. Now resign your leadership and get out of this campaign!"
With a stamp of her foot she ended her mad speech in sharp, high tones, turned quickly and started to the door.
Between set teeth Norton growled:
"And you think that I'll submit?"
The woman wheeled suddenly and rushed back to his side, her eyes flaming:
"You've got to submit—you've got to submit—or begin with me a fight that can only end in your ruin! I've nothing to lose, and I tell you now that I'll fight to win, I'll fight to kill! I'll ask no quarter of you and I'll give none. I'll fight with every ounce of strength I've got, body and soul—and if I lose I'll still have strength enough left to pull you into hell with me!"
Her voice broke in a sob, she pulled herself together, straightened her figure and cried:
"Now what are you going to do? What are you going to do? Accept my terms or fight?"
Norton's face was livid, his whole being convulsed as he leaped to his feet and confronted her:
"I'll fight!"