Joe: Misteh Porteh—
Porter: Well?
Joe: Ah’s got somethin else besides dis hyar constipulation.
Porter: What you got?
Joe: Ah’s got somethin—you might call it a sorteh constipulation of de vocabulary.
Porter: How’s that?
Joe: Ah wuks roun dis hispital, an Ah keeps mah eyes open, an Ah sees Misteh Porteh doan say much to nobody in dis place. Ah thinks it oveh, an Ah thinks maybe he’d like it if Ah was to come up an say, right still and quaht: Misteh Porteh, Ah’s jes a niggeh.
Porter: Indeed, Joe!
Joe: Dey got me in de penitentiary in de state of Ohio, Misteh Porteh, but Ah was raised down in Tennessee, an Ah knows what a genleman is; so Ah comes to you an says: Ah’s a niggeh.
Porter: Well, Joe, I’m glad you spoke. I won’t be so lonesome!