Big Sue laughed too, until Maum Hannah added, “Better keep out de Big House, honey. You’ll hab sin if you don’ mind!”
“How come so, Maum Hannah?” Big Sue appeared to be surprised.
“You know how come good as me. Better’n me, too. But dat’s you’ business. Not my own. My business is workin’ for Him up yonder.” Maum Hannah held up her arms to the sky and lifted her face as if she were praying, but her gaze became so fixed that they all looked up. There, away above them in the sky like a tiny bird, sailed something so high that its buzz was hardly more than the hum of the wind.
Maum Hannah got to her feet, and quickly untying her white apron, held it up and waved it overhead as she called out loud as she could:
“Pray, chillen, pray! Talk wid Jedus! I too sorry to see you dis mawnin’!” She shook her old head, and shouted again. “Gawd don’ like mens to go up in de elements! Dis is His day, too! Pray, chillen, pray! Do, Jedus, hab mussy on dem. I hope dey ain’ none o’ we white folks.”
“I hope not,” Big Sue joined in. “But most white folks is sinners, Maum Hannah.”
“I dunno, gal. I can’ see inside nobody’s heart, an’ I tries to love de sinners same as de rest.”
“You love sinners, Maum Hannah?” Big Sue was amazed.
“Sho’, honey, I loves de sinners, an’ hates de sin.”
“Dat’s right, Mauma. Right.” She gave the old shoulder an affectionate pat. “Dat’s how come you has such good luck catchin’ chillen. Gawd blesses you. How much did you catch last night?”