“Life’s been pretty good to me. I’ve lived a long time. And I’ve done a lot. Made a lot of money, and didn’t get beyond the third grade.[5] Can’t cultivate the garden now. My wife does well enough to take care of the yard. She’s a good woman, my wife is.
“So you’re going to Fayetteville to see Miss Adeline? I remember Miss Adeline.[6] She worked for your pappy’s brother didn’t she. Yes, I knowed her well. I liked her.
“Yes miss, I’m sort of tired. It’s hard to think. And I can’t move about much. But I got my home and I got my wife and we’re comfortable. Thank you.”
Interviewer’s note:
I left him sitting and rocking gently in a home-made hickory stationary swing eyes half closed looking out across his yard and basking in the warm sunshine of late afternoon.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Units of Hot Springs National Park.
[2] Spot without soil or vegetation—broken talus rock.
[3] Home clean, well painted and cared for, two story, large lot. Rental cottage, good condition, negro neighborhood.
[4] Bank owned and operated for and by negroes—affiliated with headquarters of large national negro lodge.