"Nevah no mo', suh, 'til I reach the Kingdom."
"Sis' Jane Callender, she have been mighty sick," broke in Aunt Dicey Fairfax, "but I reckon she gwine pull thoo', the Lawd willin'."
"Amen," said Mr. Buford.
"Huh, uh, children, I done hyeahd de washin' of de waters of Jerdon."
"No, no, Sistah Callendah, we hope to see you well and happy in de injoyment of de pension dat I understan' de gov'ment is goin' to give you."
"La, chile, I reckon de white folks gwine to git dat money. I ain't nevah gwine to live to 'ceive it. Des' aftah I been wo'kin' so long fu' it, too."
The small eyes of Mr. Buford glittered with anxiety and avarice. What, was this rich plum about to slip from his grasp, just as he was about to pluck it? It should not be. He leaned over the old lady with intense eagerness in his gaze.
"You must live to receive it," he said, "we need that money for the race. It must not go back to the white folks. Ain't you got nobody to leave it to?"
"Not a chick ner a chile, 'ceptin' Sis' Dicey Fairfax here."
Mr. Buford breathed again. "Then leave it to her, by all means," he said.