Page:The New Negro.pdf/207

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He'd 'a' been a man now and able to work and help me educate the younger ones, Alec and Annie and Ruth. That's what Ah wanted most of all-to educate ma children.

Ain't none of us can get everything we want.

But seems like Ah don't get nothin' Ah want.

You're just feelin' gloomy to-day, that's all. You won't be feelin' like that to-morrow. [Giving her some change.] Get me another cup o' coffee, won't you?

[Taking the cup.]

You might think Ah'll be feelin' all right to-morrow but Ah don't think so. Ah been feelin' the same way for near seven years.

[She goes to the kitchen with the cup.]

[Speaking to her from where he sits.]

If there's anything I kin do, or anything my wife kin do —anything that's reasonable, we'll do it.

[Returning with the coffee.]

No, there ain't nothin' you’-all kin do. Ah ain't got no claim on you now, Ben.

I don't want no hard feelin's with none o' my neighbors, white or black.