"Come to think of it, I believe she does mean something. Why, yes--"

"Do she?" cried George. "WHAT she mean?"

"It's exactly the word for the statue," said Bibbs, with conviction,
as he climbed into the car. "It's a lamiDAL statue."

"Hiyi!" George exulted. "Man! Man! Listen! Well, suh, she mighty
lamiDAL statue, but lamiDAL statue heap o' trouble to dus'!" "I
expect she is!" said Bibbs, as the engine began to churn; and a
moment later he was swept from sight.

George turned to Mist' Jackson, who had been listening benevolently
in the hallway. "Same he aw-ways say, Mist' Jackson--'I expec' she
is!' Ev'y day he try t' git me talk 'bout 'at lamiDAL statue, an'
aw-ways, las' thing HE say, 'I expec' she is!' You know, Mist'
Jackson, if he git well, 'at young man go' be pride o' the family,
Mist' Jackson. Yes-suh, right now I pick 'im fo' firs' money!"

"Look out with all 'at money, George!" Jackson warned the enthusiast.
"White folks 'n 'is house know 'im heap longer'n you. You the on'y
man bettin' on 'im!"

"I risk it!" cried George, merrily. "I put her all on now--ev'y cent!
'At boy's go' be flower o' the flock!"

This singular prophecy, founded somewhat recklessly upon gratitude for
the meaning of "lamiDAL," differed radically from another prediction
concerning Bibbs, set forth for the benefit of a fair auditor some