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 mitted, on the day following her arrival, Maria loomed in the centre of the small, timid group. She went directly to Bess where she sat by the wall, with her eyes closed against the glare. The big negress wore an expression of solicitude, and her voice was low and surprisingly gentle as she said:

"Porgy ask me tuh bring yer dis blanket fuh lie on, an' dese fish an' bread. How yuh is feelin' now?" Then she bent over and placed a bundle in the prisoner's lap.

Bess opened her eyes in surprise.

"I ain't been expectin' no fabors off none ob you folks," she replied. "How come yuh tuh care ef I lib er die, attuh dat row I mek?"

Maria lowered herself to a seat beside her.

"I lubs dat nigger, Porgy, lak he been my chile," she told her. "An' wut mo', I t'ink I know what done happen tuh yuh."

"Wut yuh know?"

"I been in my do' dat night; an' I seen dat skunk, Sportin' Life, sell yuh dat stuff. Ef I had er known den wut it wuz, I'd a been hyuh long side ob yuh now fuh murder."

After a moment, she asked: "Wut mek yuh don't tell de jailluh who done um, an' come on home?"

Bess remained silent for a moment; then