"Well, Ethel went on: 'And don't you think that nigga' is a fool. No, no! Never! That's a scheming nigga'. He's the schemingest nigga' in the world! He knows what he's about. Believe me! He knows papa isn't worth anything. And, besides, he isn't after money, he's after papa. He don't want no money. A scheming nigga' like him can make all the money he wants. Oh, yes! He's up to something else.'"
"Seems they are willing to admit very readily now that which they were not as long as he tried to deal with them like a man."
"I should think so," returned Mildred. "Well, Ethel was so excited that she walked up and down the floor in a rage. Every little while she would stop before me, and glare into my face: 'But what can he do, what can he do!' 'I have nothing to do with it, Ethel,' I replied. 'Yes, you have, yes, you have! You know! I know you and I know Jean Baptiste! He never comes to Chicago without coming to see you all. He's told you what he's up to, and I know it! Oh, that nigga'!'
"I looked at Orlean, and she sat by looking like the man who has murdered his wife and regrets it. When she met my eyes she sighed, and then said: 'Do you think he can hurt papa, Mildred? I'm worried. You see, I know Jean some. He's shrewd, Jean is very shrewd.' I confess that I was rather uncomfortable, knowing what I did. So hoping to find some way to get out of it, I suggested that they walk out. 'No,' exclaimed Ethel. 'I'm afraid I'll run into that nigga'.'"
"When do they look for the Reverend in?"
"In the morning. They are afraid to go out until he comes."
"I'd like to be around there when they found out what Jean is up to."
Mildred laughed again, and then cried: "And oh, yes, I forgot to tell you that Orlean asked me whether Jean came direct from the farm here."
"What did you tell her?"
"Why, I said I thought he was visiting down in Kansas before coming here."