“Strutting in here with his airs and impudence!”
“I’ll confess he is a little cocky.” Then he sought to mollify her. “He’s probably been spoilt. I told you he was from Colonel Lloyd’s place. He’s not just a common hand.”
She managed to control the trembling of her lips. I must not fight with William. She pressed back her tears and got to her feet.
“Keep him, if you like. He looks strong. Only I will not have him in the house.”
She started across the floor, her cane muffled by the rug. In the hallway she turned.
“I don’t like him. A nigger who looks you straight in the eye is dangerous. Send Tessie to me!” The keys hanging at her side rattled.
She ascended the stairs, the cane taps growing fainter.
“I’ll be damned!” He spoke the words under his breath, looking after her. Then, returning to the room, he reached for his pipe. Standing there, he crushed the bits of dried tobacco leaf into its bowl. “Wonder if the old girl’s right.”
He sat a while smoking before he went out back. He forgot about Tessie.
The folks in the yard were surprised when Frederick was sent to the fields. Obviously he had been considered for houseboy. Then, after he offended Old Missus, they thought he would go scuttling. But, after a time, Master William came stomping into the yard. He wore his high boots and he carried his riding crop. In a loud voice he asked where that boy was hiding. One little pickaninny began to whimper. Everybody thought that boy was going to get it. But he came right on out of the barn. The master just stood there, waiting, drawing the whip through his hands. He didn’t say anything until the boy was quite close. Then he spoke so low they couldn’t hear.