Part 22 (2/2)
Barbara had a self-confidence and self-a.s.surance that Emma had never possessed, and that was good.
”Ahm heah to help you, ma'am.”
Emma turned, a little startled, but when she saw the enormous colored man, she smiled. She had an instinctive perception that enabled her to understand people, and there was no harm in the colored giant. Emma looked at the load of boards, a load that any ordinary man would have found difficult to carry over his shoulder, that Sam held almost effortlessly under his arm. The Negro said,
”Ahm s'posed to make you a table, ma'am.”
”Well, let's see,” Emma smiled again. ”We shouldn't have it too near the fire. How about over there under the first tree?”
”Shu-ah, ma'am.”
At a snail-like pace, the colored man carried his load to the shade of the first tree and began building a table. Tad came with more stones and Emma told him,
”That will be plenty, Tad.”
”Can I help you, Ma?”
”There doesn't seem to be anything to do right now.”
”Can I go up by Pa? He might need help.”
”Yes, but be careful.”
”I will,” and Tad raced off with Mike leaping at his heels.
Emma glanced at her younger children, who were still occupied with their captive frog. Somewhere they had found a discarded jar, put wet gra.s.s in it, and were keeping their pet there.
Little Emma said, ”Now we must give him some bread.”
”They don't eat bread!” Joe said scornfully. ”Frogs eat worms and bugs.”
Little Emma said, ”Ugh!”
Emma and Barbara took the mattresses from the wagon, laid them on canvas brought along for that purpose, and arranged comfortable beds. The big colored man came to stand beside them again.
”Ahve got youah table an' chaihs.”
Emma looked up, a little surprised. She had noted the pace at which Sam moved, and decided in her own mind that they would be fortunate to have a table within the first week, but it was all built and the chairs stood around it. Emma smiled her delight.
”I do thank you. That's a real fine table.”
The colored man smiled back. ”Ah'll fetch you some fi' wood.”
He ambled off while Emma and Barbara busied themselves arranging cooking utensils and the wooden dishes on the table. Emma shook her hair back.
She recognized, with a trace of shame, that she was far more contented here, even in this strange spot, than she had been while traveling. The road was a gypsy life. Even though they slept under the stars and cooked and ate in the open, for at least a short time this was home. Emma planned in her mind the meals she would make.
Barbara suddenly exclaimed, ”Mother!”
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