?" asked Dumps, in horror, for she
had been taught by Mammy and Aunt Milly both that the lowest classes of
persons in the world were "po' white folks" and "free niggers."

"She ain't no _rich_ wite folks," answered Mammy, evasively; "caze efn
she wuz, she wouldn't be teachin' school fur er livin'; an' den ergin,
efn she's so mighty rich, whar's her niggers? I neber seed 'em. An', let
erlone dat, I ain't neber hyeard uv 'em yit;" for Mammy could not
conceive of a person's being rich without niggers.

"But, wedder she's rich or po'," continued the old lady, "she ain't no
bizness er shettin' up my chile; an' marster, he oughtn't ter 'low it."

And Mammy resumed her work, but all the time grumbling, and muttering
something about "ole maids" and "po' wite folks."

"I don't like her, nohow," said Dumps, "an' I'm glad me an' Tot's too
little ter go ter school; I don't want never to learn to read all my
life. An', Mammy, can't you go an' turn Diddie erloose?"

"No, I can't," answered Mammy. "Yer pa don't 'low me fur ter do it; he
won't do it hisse'f, an' he won't let dem do it wat wants ter. I dunno
wat's gittin' in 'im myse'f. But, you chil'en, put on yer bunnits, an'
run an' play in de yard tell I fixes dis chis' uv cloes; an' you little
niggers, go wid 'em, an' tuck cyar uv 'em; an' ef dem chil'en git hut,
yer'll be sorry fur it, mun; so yer'd better keep em off'n seesaws an'
all sich ez dat."

Dumps and Tot, attended by their little maids, went out in the yard at
Mammy's bidding, but not to play; their hearts were too heavy about poor
little Diddie, and the little negroes were no less grieved than they
were, so they all held a consultation as to what they should do.

"Le's go 'roun' ter de schoolroom winder, an' talk ter her," said
Dilsey. And, accordingly, they repaired to the back of the house, and
took their stand under the schoolroom window. The schoolroom was on the
first floor, but the house was raised some distance from the ground by
means of stone pillars, so none of the children were tall enough to see
into the room.

Dilsey called Diddie softly, and the little girl appeared at the window.

"Have you said your lesson yet?" asked Dumps.

"No, an' I ain't ergoin' to, neither," answered Diddie.

"An' yer ain't had yer dinner, nuther, is yer, Miss Diddie?" asked
Dilsey.

"No; but I don't care 'bout that; I sha'n't say my lesson not ef she
starves me clean ter death."

At this dismal prospect, the tears s