The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1943-06-12

ed 10 rise from the grave, re-
solved 10 force upon Max the
reality OF his living.
I'm glad got TO know you
before go,' he said with almost
shout; then was silent. for that
was not what he had wanted 10
say.
Max turned and looked at him /.
II was casual look. devoid OF
the deeper awarcness that Bigger
sought so hunglly.
I'm glad got 10 know you.
too Bigger, I'm sorry We have 10
part this way. But I'm old. son.
I'll be going soon myself .
Il remembered all them ques-
tons you asked me -
What questions7" Max asked.
coming and sitting again on the
cot
THAT night -
What night. son -
Max did not even know. Big
ger felt that he had been slapped
Oh. what a fool he had been 20
build hope upon such shifting
sand But he had to make him
know
THAT night you asked me to
tell all about myself he whim-
pered despairinEIy.
"Oh"
lie saw Max look at the floor
and frown lie knew that Max
vas puzzled
you asked me questions no.
body ever asked me before You
knew that was a murdered two
times over. hut you treated me
like man
Max looked al him sharply and
rose from his cot He stood In
front 81 Bigger for moment
md Bigger was on the verge OF
believing that Max knew. under
stood but Max's next words
showed him that the white man
was still trying 10 comfort him
in the face OF death.
You're human. Bigger" Max
said YEARLY "It's hell 10 talk
about things like this to one
about 10 die. j" Max paused;
the work I'm doing
bigger knew that he was search
ing for words that would soothe
him. and lie did not want them
bigger" Max said. in the work
I'm doing. look al the world in
a way that shows no whites and
no blacks. no civilized and no
savages. When men are trying TO
change human life on earth. those
little things don't matter. You
don't notice EN- They're just not
there. You forget them The rea-
son spoke 10 you as I'did. PIG
ger. Is because you made me feel
how badly men want to live. -
"But sometimes wish you
YOU hadn't asked me them cues
tons" Bigger said In voice
that had as much reproach In II
for Max az Il had for-.himself.
What do you mean. bigger"
"They made me think and
thinking's made me scared lit
tie !"
Max caught Bigger's shoulders
IN tight grip: then his fingers
loosened and no sank hack to the
cot; but his eyes we're still fas-
tened upon Biceer's face Yes;
Max knew now. Under the shadow
q death. he wanted Max to tell
him about life.
"Mr Max. how can die" Big
ger asked: knowing as the words
doomed from his lipe that
knowledge OF how 20 live was a
knowledge Of how 10 die.
Max turned his face from him
and mumbIed:
Men die alone, Bigger"
But Bigger had not heard him.
In him again. imperiousIy. was
the desire 10 talk. 10 tell; his
hands were lifted in mid-air and
when he spoke he tried 10 charge
into the tone OF his words what
he HIMSELF wanted TO hear. what
he needed.
MIR. Max. I sort Of saw my
self after that night And ! sort
OF saw other people, too" Big
gers voice died; he was listening
20 the echoes OF his words In his
own mind. He saw arhazement
and borrow on Maxs face. Bigger
knew that Max would rather not
have him talk like this; but he
could not help IT, He had 10 die
and he had 10 talk. Well, IT'S
sort Of funny. Mr. Max ! amt
trying to dodge what's coming TO
me-" Bigger was growing hysier-
ical II know I'm going to get
t. I'm going to die. Well. that's
all right now. But really I never
wanted 10 hurt nobody That's the
truth. Mr.. Max. I hurt folks cause
! felt had to; that's all. They
was crowdlng me too close; they
wouldn't give me no room LOIS
q times I tried 70 forget EN-. but
7 couldnt. They wouldn't let
me Biegers eyes we're vide
and unseeing: his voice rushed