Jessie’s voice became almost reverential. “You ever used this here kind?” she asked, and pointed to the toilets.
“Yes, ma’am. Right this mornin’.”
Jessie sighed. “That’s good.”
Ella Summers said, “Jes’ last week—”
Jessie interrupted sternly, “Mis’ Summers—I’ll tell.”
Ella gave ground. “Oh, awright.”
Jessie said, “Las’ week, when you was Chair, you done it all. I’ll thank you to keep out this week.”
“Well, tell what that lady done,” Ella said.
“Well,” said Jessie, “it ain’t this committee’s business to go a-babblin’, but I won’t pass no names. Lady come in las’ week, an’ she got in here ’fore the committee got to her, an’ she had her ol’ man’s pants in the toilet, an’ she says, ’It’s too low, an’ it ain’t big enough. Bust your back over her,’ she says. ’Why couldn’ they stick her higher?’” The committee smiled superior smiles.
Ella broke in, “Says, ’Can’t put ’nough in at oncet.’” And Ella weathered Jessie’s stern glance.