years ago who had marched a dozen times unthinking before the faces of white men. It was the approach of a woman who knew how the world treated women whom it respected; who knew that no such treatment would be thought of in her case: neither the bow, the lifted hat, nor even the conventional title of decency. Yet she must go on naturally and easily, boldly but circumspectly, and play a daring game with two powerful men.
“Can I speak with you a moment, Colonel?” she asked.
The Colonel did not stir or remove his cigar; he even injected a little gruffness into his tone.
“Well, what is it?”
Of course, she was not asked to sit, but she stood with her hands clasped loosely before her and her eyes half veiled.
“Colonel, I’ve got a thousand dollars.” She did not mention the other nine.
The Colonel sat up.
“Where did you get it?” he asked.
‚Äú Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool gave it to me to use in helping the colored people.‚Äù
“What are you going to do with it?”
“Well, that’s just what I came to see you about. You see, I might give it to the school, but I’ve been thinking that I’d like to buy some land for some of the tenants.”
“I’ve got no land to sell,” said the Colonel.
“I was thinking you might sell a bit of the swamp.”