The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-12-26

could he do? She ought not ID
have come here. Buddy came over
To him, fumbling with his cap.
Listen. Bigger. II YOU didn't do
II. just tell me and I'll fix EN-. Ill
get a gun and kill four or nve
of EN-.
The room gasped. Bigger turned
bis head quickly and saw that the
white faces along the wall were
shocked and startled.
Don't talk that way, Buddy"
the mother sobbed. "you want me
te die right now I can't stand no
more OF this. You mustn't talk
that way We In enough trou-
BILE now
Don't let 'em treat you bad.
Bigger" Buddy said stoutly..
Bigger wanted to comfort them
in the presence OF the whitelfolks.
tut did not know how. Desperate
", he cast about for something
TO say. Hate and shame boiled in
HIM against the people behind his
back; he tried TO think OF words
that would defy them, words that
would let them know that he had
world and life Of his own In
spite OF them. And at the same
time he wanted those words to
stop the tears OF his mother and
sister. 10 quiet and soothe the an
ger OF his brother: he longed 10
stop those tears and that anger
because he knew that they we're
futile. that the people who stood
along the wall back OF him had
the destiny OF him and his family
in their hands.
Jaw. Ma. don't you-all worry
none" he said. amazed nj his en-
ergy. "I'il be out OF this In no
/ time"
His mother give him an In
credulous stare. Bigger turned his
head again and looked feverishly
and defiantlv A. the white faces
slong the wall They were star
ing AZ him In surprise. Bucklev's
! lips were twisted In n fart smile.
J Jan and Max looked dlsmayed.
Mrs. Dalton. white as the we'll
behind her. listened. oren-mouth-
ed The preacher and Mr.. Dalton
were shaking their heads sadly.
Bigger knew that no one IN the
room excent Buddy. believed him.
His mother turned her face away
end cried. Vera knelt upon the
floor and covered her face with
her hands.
Bigger" his mothers voice
came low and quiet: she caught
his face between the Mains OF her
trembling hands. Bigger" she
said. tell me. Is there anything.
inviting we can do?"
He knew that his mothers ques-
tion had been prompted by his
telling her that he would ret out
Of all this. He knew that they
had nothing: they were so poor
that thev were dependir~ upon
public charity 10 eat He was
ashamed OF what he had done:
be should have been honest with
them. II had been a wild ard fool
ish IMPULSE that had made him try
70 appear strong ard innocent be-
fore them. Mavhe thev would re-
mewher him o-lv nv those foolish
words after thew had killed him.
His mothers evee were sad. steD-
ficai' but kind. -etiers wa'tirr
for his answer Yes: he had 10
wine mt ihai lis. MT ori- en- that
fh"v r1i~rt kncw tho .-rth. hrt N
redeem h'nleeif IN the owes ~
those white f~~as heh'-d r's back
elong the white walt. We wps
lost hut be would not crlrge: he
wor'd not To. not IN no r-esc-re
80 met white rnornss'r Iocsn'n~
heN'-S him
"rh~~- s'r* uothir~ NJ. But
T'r' au riohf" 10 r.-~.hisd
There was silence. Buddy low
cred his eyes. Vera sobbed louder.
She seemed 80 little and helpless.
She should have not come here.
Her sorrow accused him. n he
could onlv make her go home. II
was precisely 10 keen from feel
Inc THE state and shame and de-
SPAR that he had always acted
hard and tough toward them: ard
now he was without defense. HIs
eyes roved the room seeing Gus
ana CHI ana lack. Thew saw him
looF'ng at them and came for
ward.
I'm sorry. BIGGER" Jack said.
bis eyes on the floor.
"Thev picked us up. too" Oh.
said. as though tryinR 10 comfort
BIGGER with the fact. "But Mr..
Frlone and Mr. Max got US out.
Thew tried 10 make MS tell about
lot OF things We didn't do. but
We wouldn't tell"
Anything we can do. Bigger"
Gus asked.
I'm all right" Bigger said.
Say. when you go. take Ma home
will your
Sure: sure they said.
! Again there was silence and
Biggef's taut nerves ached to fili
up.
\ How you l-l-like them sewing
classes at the Y. veray" he asked.
Vera frightened her hands over
her face.
Bigger" his mother sobbed.
trying 10 talk through her tears.
Bigger, honey, she won't 90 20
school no more. She says the
other girls look Il her and make
her 'shamed. :"
/ lie had lived and acted on the
assumption that he was alone. and
now he saw that ne had not been.