“What can I do for you?”
Mrs. ¬ÝCresswell groped for her proper cue, but the brown lady merely offered a chair and sat down silently. Mrs. ¬ÝCresswell‚Äôs perplexity increased. She had been planning to descend graciously but authoritatively upon some shrinking girl, but this woman not only seemed to assume equality but actually looked it.
From a rapid survey, Mrs. ¬ÝCresswell saw a black silk stocking, a bit of lace, a tailor-made gown, and a head with two full black eyes that waited in calmly polite expectancy.
Something had to be said.
‚ÄúI‚ÅÝ‚Äîer‚ÅÝ‚Äîcame; that is, I believe you sent a group to the art exhibit?‚Äù
“Yes.”
‚ÄúIt was good‚ÅÝ‚Äîvery good.‚Äù
Miss Wynn said nothing, but sat calmly looking at her visitor. Mrs. ¬ÝCresswell felt irritated.
“Of course,” she managed to continue, “we are very sorry that we cannot receive it.”
“Indeed? I understood it had taken the first prize.”
Mrs. ¬ÝCresswell was aghast. Who had rushed the news to this woman? She realized that there were depths to this matter that she did not understand and her irritation increased.
‚ÄúYou know that we could not give the prize to a‚ÅÝ‚ÄîNegro.‚Äù
“Why not?”