Page:The New Negro.pdf/208

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Ah told you once Ah didn't have no hard feelin's against you.

Maybe you ain't, but your boy, Alec, acts like he is. He never speaks to me on the road, and when he looks at me seems like he hates me.

You can't expect Alec to go around smilin' at you after what's happened.

He might act a little more friendly.

Maybe he might and maybe he mightn't. There's a lots o' things about us you don't know, Ben Carter, and never dreamed of. Ah'm goin' to tell you one of 'em now.

See this gun?

Yes.

This gun's been loaded for seven years, ever since Joe was killed. Alec was fourteen then, and he wanted to go out and shoot you.

Shoot me for somethin' I couldn't help?

He didn't see it the way you see it. He thought you could 'a' helped it.