And in her big, eloquent eyes I see too her belief in what I had said—I see that and more too. Them sweet eyes looked grand and prophetic. Sez she:
“The time is hastening. I have seen the glow of that to-morrow; its light is waking the sleepers.
“Africa has been asleep for ages. She has crouched down in her pain, her long stupor. But she is waking up. The dead form is beginning to move—to rise up. She will stand upon her feet among the nations of the earth. And when this warm-hearted, musical, beauty-loving people come to their own, who may paint their future?
“They will be leaders among the nations. Poesy, art, song, oratory will find in them their highest exponents. And after bending and cowering beneath its burdens for centuries, Africa will rise and tower up above the other nations of the earth.”
Oh, how Genieve’s eyes shone and glowed with inner light as she said these words, as if she wuz describin’ sunthin’ she see fur off.
And I declare it gin me such a feelin’, sunthin’ like a cold chill, only more riz up like, that I didn’t know but she did see it.
And I don’t know now but she did, and then agin I don’t know as she did. But anon the illumination sort o’ faded out of her eyes agin.
The old patient, brave look come over Victor’s face, and he followed Col. Seybert home; and lo and behold! by the time Maggie come in to ask about Boy the rapt prophetess Genieve had changed agin into the faithful, quiet, patient nurse Genny.
Wall, Boy grew pretty every day—not a prettiness like Snow’s, delicate and spiritual, but a sort of a healthy, happy boy pretty. Bold, bright blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and a mouth that seemed made for smiles and kisses, and cheeks that wuz perfect rose nests for dimples—short brown curls begun to lengthen on his round little head.
And he wuz altogether a very pretty boy, very.