'They were more spacious. Have you ever seen Oxford?
'Yes; in fact, I was educated there.
'Were you, now? I've seen Oxford and Cambridge and Eton and Harrow. That's me all over. That's what I like, see? I appreciate art. There's plenty coloured people come over here and don't see nothing but a few night clubs. I read Shakespeare, said Chokey, 'Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear. Ever read them?
'Yes, said the Doctor; 'as a matter of fact, I have.
'My race, said Chokey, 'is essentially an artistic race, We have the child's love of song and colour and the child's natural good taste. All you white folks despise the poor coloured man….
'No, no, said the Doctor.
'Let him say his piece, the darling, said Mrs Beste Chetwynde. 'Isn't he divine!
'You folks all think the coloured man hasn't got a soul. Anything's good enough for the poor coloured man. Beat him; put him in chains; load him with burdens…. Here Paul observed a responsive glitter in Lady Circumference's eye. 'But all the time that poor coloured man has a soul same as you have. Don't he breathe the same as you? Don't he eat and drink? Don't he love Shakespeare and cathedrals and the paintings of the old masters same as you? Isn't he just asking for your love and help to raise him from the servitude into which your forefathers plunged him? Oh, say, white folks, why don't you stretch out a helping hand to the poor coloured man, that's as good as you are, if you'll only let him be?
'My sweet, said Mrs Beste‑Chetwynde, 'you mustn't get discouraged. They're all friends here.
'Is that so? said Chokey. 'Should I sing them a song?