Page:The New Negro.pdf/202

ALEC

⁠[Returning from the kitchen.]
Ah thought you said the coffee was out.

JANE

Ah had enough left for one pot and Annie's gone after more. Boy,—you notice anything strange about Annie lately?

ALEC

Ah notice she's mighty gloomy. “Ah seen huh behind the house cryin' yesterday.

JANE

⁠[Interested.]
You didn't say nothin' about it.

ALEC

She said she just dropped a stick o'wood on huh foot.

JANE

Ah was just tellin' huh a minute ago she was too young to be mopin' around, that she don't know nothin' about trouble yet. It's enough for you an' me to be worryin'.

ALEC

You're right, Ma [going out], I ain't done chopping yet.

[He goes back to the yard. Jane stands watching him for a few moments, then goes to the kitchen. The regular fall of ALEC's ax can be heard as he cuts wood outside. Presently Ben Carter enters from the yard. He is a white man between forty-five and fifty, wearing a coat but no necktie in his soft collar.]

CARTER

⁠[Calling out as he throws his hat on the bench.]
Anybody home!

JANE

⁠[Appearing at the kitchen door.]
Mornin', Ben Carter.