The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-09-19


breathing. he knew that they we're
excited. When they finished, they
turned 10 him again.
Say. boy. was this guy drunk"
"Yessuh'
"And the girl. too
"Yessuh"
HE took the girl upstairs when
they got here?"
"Yessuh.'
Say, boy, what do you think of
public ownership? DO YOU think
the government ought to huiid
houses for people to live in?"
Bigger blinked.
sub"
well, what do you think of
private property
Il don't own any property. Nav
subj Bigger said.
"Aw. he's dumb duck. He
doesn't know anything" one OF H..
men whispered in voice loud
enough for Bigger 10 hear.
There was a silence. Bigger lean
ed against the wall, hoping that this
would satisfy them for time. Al
least. The draft could not be heard
in the furnace now at all. The door
opened again and Peggy came into
view carrying pot Of coffee in one
hand and a folding card table In
the other. one OF the men went m
the steps and met her. took tho
table, opened il. and placed it for
her. She set The pot upon IT, Big
ger saw thin SPOUT Of steam nut
ting from the pot and smelt tho
good scent OF coffee He wanted
some. hut he knew he should not
ask with the white men waiting to
drink.
THANK you. sire Peggy mum
hled. looking humhly rornd ~ the
strange faces OF the men IN yet
the sugar and cream and some
cups"
Say. boy Brliien said. TELL
the men how Jan made you eat
with i'm"
yeah: tell us about IT,"
rs It 'rue?"
"yessuh
"You didn't want 10 eat with
i'm did you9'
"Nawsuh"
ibid you ever eat with white
people before"
"Naweuh'
did this guy Erlone say any,
thing 10 You about white women"
"Oh. nausnh."
How did You feel eating with
him and Miss Dalton"
II don't know. sub. II was my
job"
You didn't feel Just right, did
you
Well sub. They told me 10 eat
and ate. II was my Job.
I'm other words, YOU felt you
had 10 eat or lose your ioh9r
"Yeseuh' said Bigger. feeling
that this ought 70 place him In the Z
light of helpless. bewildered
man.
Good Cod" said ono NJ the men
What a story, Don't YOU see II?
These Negroes want 10 be left alone
and these Reds are forcing 'cm 10
live with EN-. see9 Every wire In
the country'll carry H."
This Is hotter than Loeb and
Leopold" said one.
Say. I'm slanting this 10 the
primitive Negro who doesn't want
10 he disturbed by white civiliza-
ton"
"A swell idea
SAY. Is this Erlone really cii-
REM
That's an angle"
Mention his foreign-sounding
name"
"1s he Jewish %
81 don't know"
This is good enough az II Is
You cant have everything you
want"
ITS classic"
"Tt's a natural"
Then. before Bigger knew n the
men had their hulbs IN their hands
again. aiming AZ him He hung his
head slowly. slowly 80 as not to let
them know that he was trying 10
dodge them
Hold M little. boy"
"Stand straight"
Look over this wav. Now. that's
IT,"
Yes: the police would certainly
have enough nictures ~ him VIC
thought n rather bitterly smiling
a smile that did not reach his lips
or eyes.
Peggy came hack with her arms
full OF cupe. saucers. snoons. jar |
OF cream and a howl Of sugar
"Hers n Il. sirs. Help your
selves"
She turned 10 Bigger.
"There's not enough heat M
stairs. You'd better clean those
ashes out and make better hre.
"Yeseum.
Clean the Are out Good GOO
Not now. not with The men slano-
lne round. He did not move from
hts Mace beside the wall; he wsfcn-
ed Peggy walk back IN the STAIRS
and close the door behind her well
ne had 10 do something. Perfv
had epoken 10 him IN the presence
on these men. and for him not 70
chew would seem odd. Ana even
N thew aid not say ANYTHING about
n. Peggy herself wonln ~ som
,h,nr He walled 70 the door oI
the furnace and opened Y. Inel