“We was jus’ lookin’,” Ruthie said.
“Well, where’s Tom? You seen him?”
Ruthie became important. “Yes, ma’am. Tom, he got me up an’ he tol’ me what to tell you.” She paused to let her importance be apparent.
“Well—what?” Ma demanded.
“He said tell you—” She paused again and looked to see that Winfield appreciated her position.
Ma raised her hand, the back of it toward Ruthie. “What?”
“He got work,” said Ruthie quickly. “Went out to work.” She looked apprehensively at Ma’s raised hand. The hand sank down again, and then it reached out for Ruthie. Ma embraced Ruthie’s shoulders in a quick convulsive hug, and then released her.
Ruthie stared at the ground in embarrassment, and changed the subject. “They got toilets over there,” she said. “White ones.”
“You been in there?” Ma demanded.
“Me an’ Winfiel’,” she said; and then, treacherously, “Winfiel’, he bust a toilet.”