Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1942-05-09
Report Shows374Negroes
n Officers School; Only 400 Last War
NATIVE son
INSTALLMENT IL
By RICHARD WRIGHT

Maybe that was Jan asking about
Mary. He remembered that Mary
had promised to call MIN. He won-
dered how lolig 1t took to so to De-
troit. Five or six hours? 1t was not
far. Marys train had already gone
About four o'clock she would be
due in Detroit. Maybe someone had
planned to meet her? If she was
not on the train, would they call Or
wire about it9 Peggy came back,
went to the stove and continued
cooking.
"Thingsll be ready in minute, !"
she said.
s.Yessum"
Then she turned to him. who
was the gentleman with Miss Dali
ton last night?"
"T don't know, mann. I think she
called him Jan, or something like
that"
"Jan? He just called" Peggy
said. She tossed her head and her
lips tightened. He's no-goOd
one, if there ever was one One OF
them anarchists who's agin the
government"
Bigger listened and said nothing.
what on earth good girl like
Mary wants to hang around with
that crazy bunch for, God only
knows. Nothing good1l come of it.
just you mark my words. If it
wasn't for that Mary and her wild
ways, this household would run
like a clock. It's such pity, too.
Her mothers the very soul CT good
ness And there never was q finer
nan than Mr.. Dalton :. But later
on Mary'n settle down. They all do
They think they're missing some
thing unless they kick up their
heels when they're young and fool
iSh. 49,
She brought bowl of hot oat-
meal and milk to him and he be-
gan to eat. He had difficulty in
swallowing, for he had no appetite
But he forced the food down
Peggy talked on and he wondered
what he would say to her: he found
that he could say nothing. Maybt
she was not xrecting him to say
anything Magbe she was talkina
to him because she had no one els
to talk to like his mother did some
time. Yes; he would see about thai
fire, again when he goS to Tho
basement. He would fill that fur
mace as full of coal as it would get
and make sure that Mary burned
in hurry. The hot cereal was
making him sleepy and he sup
pressed yawn."
What all I got to do today
mam?-
"Just wait on call. Sundays
dull day. Maybe Mr.. or Mrs. Dial
ton1l go cut"
He finished the oatmeal.
You want me to do anything
now?"
mo, but you're not through eat
ing. You want some ham ant
egas?"
Nom got a plenty"
"Well, it's right here for you
Don't be afraid to ask for it"
81 reckon I'll see about the tir'
now
"All right, Bigger. just you lis
ten to the bell about two O'Clock
Till then I don't think thereH bf
anything"
He went to the basement. Tit
fire was blazing. The ember
glowed red and the draft drone'
upward. It did not need any coal
Again he looked round the base
ment into every nook and corner
TO see if he had left any trace O
what had happened last night
There was none. He went to hi
room and lay on the bed. Wen
here he was now. What would had
men? The room was quiet. No! HI
heard something! He coked hi
head, listening He caught the fain
sounds of pots and pans rafting
in the kitchen below. He got vi
and walked to the far end OF 6h'
room: the sound came louder
He heard the soft but firm treat
Of Peggy as she walked across TIT
kitchen floor. She's right under me
he thought. He stood STILL listen
ing. He heard Mrs. Dalton's voice
then. Peggy's. He stopped and pu
his ear to the floor. Were the.
talking about Mary? He could no
make out what they we're saying
He stood up and looked around. 4
foot from him was the door OF I'll
colthes closet. He opened it; tn
voices came clearly. He went int
the closet and the planks squeak
ed: he stopped Had they hear'
him? Would they think he wa
shopping? OH He had an idea! Il
got his suitcase and opened 1t an