The room buzzed with chatter. How would such a great noisy gathering ever get straightened out to work? They were as much alike as guinea fowls in a flock, every head tied up turban-fashion, every skirt covered by an apron.
Big Sue welcomed every one with friendliest greetings, and although her breath was short from excitement, she talked gaily and laughed often.
A sudden hush followed a loud clapping of her hands. The closest attention was paid while she appointed Leah and Zeda captains of the first quilts to be laid out. Zeda stepped forward, with a jaunty toss of her head, and, shrugging a lean shoulder, laughed lightly.
“Big Sue is puttin’ sinner ’gainst Christian dis mawnin’!”
Leah tried to laugh, her tubby body, bulky as Big Sue’s, shook nervously, as her giggling rippled out of her mouth, but her eyes showed no mirth at all.
“You choose first, Leah. You’s de foreman’s wife.”
Leah chose Big Sue.
“Lawd,” Zeda threw her head back with a laugh, “Yunnuh two is so big nobody else wouldn’ have room to set on a bench ’side you.”
The crowd tittered, but Big Sue looked stern.