ly
secured his approval; for he boldly declared that he "would 'a'
recognizated me for one of de rail quality ef he had foun' me in a
cuppen." I was immediately conscious of the effect which his endorsement
produced on his companions. They regarded me with new interest, if any
expression so bovine deserved to be thus characterized.
"I tell dese folks up heah dee don't know nuthin' 'bout rail quality,"
he asserted with a contemptuous wave of his arm, which was manifestly
intended to embrace the entire section in its comprehensive sweep. "Dee
'ain' nuver had no 'quaintance wid it," he explained, condescendingly.
His friends accepted this criticism with proper submissive-ness.
"De Maconses, de Berkeleyses, de Carterses, de Bassettses, de
Wickhamses, de Nelsonses, an' dem!"--(the final ending "es" was plainly
supposed to give additional dignity)--"now _dee_ is sho 'nough quality.
I know all 'bout 'em." He paused long e-
nough to permit this to sink in.
"I b'longst to Doc' Macon. _You_ know what _he_ wuz?"
His emphasis compelled me to acknowledge his exalted position or abandon
forever all hope of retaining my own; so I immediately assented, and
inquired how long he had been in "this country," as he designated his
adopted region. He turned with some severity to one of his companions, a
stout and slatternly woman, very black, and many years his junior.
"How long is I been heah, Lucindy?"
The woman addressed, by way of answer, turned half away, and gave a
little nervous laugh. "I don't know how long you been heah, you been
heah so long; mos' forty years, I reckon." This sally called from her
companions a little ripple of amusement.
"Dat's my wife, suh," the old gentleman explained, apologetically.
"She's de one I got now; she come f'om up heah in dis ken-try." His
voice expressed all that the words were intended to convey. Lucindy-