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 After a space of time the victim blinked feebly, then opened his eyes upon Maria's face. She was mopping his head with a wet rag, and his first glance discovered an expression of gentleness on her heavy features. Reassured, he opened his eyes wide. But the gentleness was gone. He felt himself gripped by the shoulders, and suddenly snatched upward to be placed upon unsteady legs. Then he was propelled rapidly toward the gate.

At the pavement's edge Maria swung her victim around until his wandering and reluctant gaze met hers.

"De las' time yuh wuz aroun' hyuh, I ain't hab nuttin' on yuh but my eyes. Now I knows yuh—yuh damn, dirty, dope-peddler, wreckin' de homes ob dese happy niggers!"

Her arms shot forward and back like locomotive pistons. The man's head snapped to an acute angle, and righted itself with difficulty.

"Now, w'en I done dingin' yuh out dis gate," she proceeded, "it's de las' time yuh is goin' tuh leabe it erlibe. Eberybody say I is er berry t'orough nigger, an' ef yuh ebber comes roun' hyuh agin, drunk or sobuh, I ain't goin' to be t'rough wid yuh carcase