"
Confession was inevitable. "The fact is, Mammy, I don't happen to have any
change to-day that I can hand you for the buttons." I was thankful that my
occupation permitted me to keep my face from Mammy.
"Oh, ez fer that, Mahs William, yo' needn't bother. I got 'nough change
'round 'most all de time."
Mammy's tone was patronizing, and brought home to me such a realization of
my changed and waning fortunes as no other circumstance could have done.
Possibly I may have imagined it in my hypersensitiveness, but Mammy's voice
in that sentence seemed transformed, and it was another mammy who spoke.
I apparently reserved my protest until some intricate passage in my shaving
was passed. At least I thought that Mammy would think so. I was really
trying to put my reply in shape.
I was anticipated.
"You know you is really 'titled to yo' fif's by law, Mahs William," resumed
Mammy, in her natural manner, "because still bein' bond, you could call on
me, an' I don't begrudge you; in fact, Ise beholden to you."
"Not at all, Mammy. Don't talk any more about my fifth. You are as good as
free, you know.
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