, "so long as
folks understands you." She always grew restive under these ordeals; but
Polly's firm controlled manner generally conquered.

"Oh, yes, it does," answered Polly. "I used to think it didn't; but
it does. You have to say things in a certain way or folks look down on
you."

"I's satisfied de way I be," declared Mandy, as she plumped herself down
on the garden bench and began to fidget with resentment.

"The way I am," Polly persisted, sweetly.

"See here, chile, is day why you been a-settin' up nights an' keepin de
light burnin'?"

"You mustn't say 'setting up;' you must say 'sitting up.' Hens set----"

"So do I," interrupted Mandy; "I's doin' it NOW." For a time she
preserved an injured silence, then turned upon Polly vehemently. "If I
had to think ob all dat ere foolishness eber' time I open my mouth, I'd
done been tongue-tied afore I was born."

"I could teach you in no time," volunteered Polly, eagerly.

"I don't want to be teached," protested Mandy, doggedly. "Hast Jones
says I's too smart anyhow. Men don't like women knowin' too much--it
skeers 'em. I's good enough for my old man, and I ain't a-tryin' to get
nobody else's," Mandy wound up flatly.

"But he'd like you all the better," persisted Polly, laughing.

"I don' WANT to be liked no better by NO nigger," snapped Mandy. "I's a
busy woman, I is." She made for the house, then curiosity conquered her
and she came back to Polly's side. "See here, honey, whose been l'arnin'
you all dem nonsense?"

"I learn from Mr. Douglas. I remember all the things he tells me, and at
night I write them down and say them over. Do you see this, Mandy?" She
took a small red book from her belt and put it into Mandy's black chubby
fists.

"I see some writin', if dat's what you mean," Mandy answered,
helplessly.

"These are my don'ts," Polly confided, as she pointed enthusiastically
to worn pages of finely written notes.

"You'se WHAT, chile?"

"The things I mustn't do or say."

"An' you'se been losin' yoah beauty sleep for dem tings?" Mandy looked
incredulous.

"I don't want Mr. John to feel ashamed of me," she said with growing
pride.

"Well, you'd catch Mandy a-settin' up for----"

"Oh, oh! What did I tell you, Mandy?" Polly pointed reproachfully to the
reminder in the little red book. It was a fortunate thing that Willie
interrupted the lesson at this point, for Mandy's temper was becoming
very uncertain. The children had grown weary waiting for