THE CHRONICLES OF AUNT MINERVY ANN
and the day after the election I was somewhat surprised to see Hamp saunter in. So was Major Tumlin Perdue, who was reading the exchanges.
"He's come to demand a retraction," remarked the Major, "and you'll have to set him right. He's no longer plain Hamp; he's the Hon. Hamp—what's your other name?" turning to the negro.
"Hamp Tumlin my fergiven name, suh. I thought 'Nervy Ann tol' you dat."
"Why, who named you after me?" inquired the Major, somewhat angrily.
"Me an' 'Nervy Ann fix it up, suh. She say it's about de purtiest name in town."
The Major melted a little, but his bristles rose again, as it were.
"Look here, Hamp!" he exclaimed in a tone that nobody ever forgot or misinterpreted; "don't you go and stick Perdue onto it. I won't stand that!"
"No, suh!" responded Hamp. "I started ter do it, but 'Nervy Ann say she ain't gwine ter have de Perdue name bandied about up dar whar de Legislatur's at."
Again the Major thawed, and though he looked long at Hamp it was with friendly eyes. He seemed to be studying the negro—"sizing him up," as the
8
