“I don’t believe it; there are scores, thousands, perhaps millions such, I admit; but the average American loves justice and right, and he is the one to whom I appeal with frankness and truth. Great heavens! don’t you love to be frank and open?”
She narrowed her eyelids.
“Yes, sometimes I do; once I was; but it’s a luxury few of us Negroes can afford. Then, too, I insist that it’s jolly to fool them.”
“Don’t you hate the deception?”
She chuckled and put her head to one side.
“At first I did; but, do you know, now I believe I prefer it.”
He looked so horrified that she burst out laughing. He laughed too. She was a puzzle to him. He kept thinking what a mistress of a mansion she would make.
“Why do you say these things?” he asked suddenly.
“Because I want you to do well here in Washington.”
“General philanthropy?”
“No, special.” Her eyes were bright with meaning.
‚ÄúThen you care‚ÅÝ‚Äîfor me?‚Äù
“Yes.”
He bent forward and cast the die.
“Enough to marry me?”
She answered very calmly and certainly: