“Number fifty-two,” Duckery called, fixing his gaze sternly on Bennee.
“Blank,” Bennee answered with a pleased grin; satisfied that he was learning the intricacies of the game.
“Number nineteen,” Duckery called gaily; seeing Mozella looking at him with keen anticipation.
“Blank,” came Bennee’s announcement.
“Law ...d!” reverberated Mozella’s exclamation of disappointment. “I sho thought my number nineteen was goin’ bring me good luck.... Da’s de number o’ de day my sister baby was bawn.... An’ bawn wid one teeth in de front ’is mouth, too.”
“O g’way from hyuh, gal,” scoffed Keziah, giving Mozella a playful push. “Ugly an’ ill-formed as yo’ sister baby is,—’tain no wonder yo’ li’l dime done went astray.”
Much displeased at being interrupted by the laughter that followed Keziah’s comment, Duckery looked at the women and shouted crossly:
“Quit y’all wranglin’, for Gawd sake! An’ lemme git thoo playin’ wid dis hat-full o’ papers.... You think I wan’ stay hyuh all night?”
The commanding tone of his voice and the spectacular batting of his eyelids brought immediate silence. Whereupon he called out vehemently: