(MR. CLARK sits unmoved. MRS. ROBERTS advances upon him)
Mist’ Clark!
CLARK.
I God, woman, don’t keep on after me! Every time I look, youse round here beggin’ for everything you see.
LIGE.
And whut she don’t see she whoops for it just de same.
MRS. ROBERTS.
(In dramatic begging pose) Mist’ Clark! Ain’t you boin’ do nuthin’ for me? And you see me and my poor chillun is starvin’….
CLARK.
(Exasperated rises) I God, woman, a man can’t git no peace wid somebody like you in town. (He goes angrily into the store followed by MRS. ROBERTS. The boy sits down on the edge of the porch sucking the baby’s thumb.)
VOICE OF MRS. ROBERTS.
A piece ’bout dis wide….
VOICE OF CLARK.
I God, naw! Yo’ husband done bought you plenty meat, nohow.
VOICE OF MRS. ROBERTS.
(In great anguish) Ow! Mist’ Clark! Don’t you cut dat lil tee-ninchy piece of meat for me and my chillun! (Sound of running feet inside the store.) I ain’t a going to tetch it!
VOICE OF CLARK.
Well, don’t touch it then. That’s all you’ll git outa me.