'Publican er Dimocrat to it. That jest naterally turns the colored vote
loose at the polls. And fer the most of the black fools it's who bids the
mostes, I'm sorry ter say, as is the fact."

"But you know Mr. David has said from the first that he will not buy a
vote. Will he have to lose--how many of the colored people are there--oh,
Jeff, will he have to be beaten?" Caroline Darrah clasped a sandwich to
the death in her hands and questioned the negro with the same faith that
she would have used in questioning Major Buchanan.

"No, ma'am, he ain't going ter git nigger-beat if we can help it--us
society colored set, you understand, Miss Ca'line." Jeff's manner was an
interesting mixture of pomposity and deference.

"I don't quite understand, Jeff; you explain to me," answered Caroline
Darrah in the kind and respectful voice that she always used to these
family servants, which they understood perfectly and in which they took a
huge delight.

"Well, it's jest this way, Miss Ca'line, they is sets in the colored
folks jest like they is in the white folks. We is the _it_ set, me and
Tempie and Eph and all the fust family people. We's got our lawyers and
dentists and a university and a ice-cream parlor with the swellest kinder
soda fount in front. You heard how Mister David got that Country Club
for us, didn't you? Well, he backed the rent notes of the soda fount,
too--and he's jest naterly the fust set candidate fer anything he wants
ter be."

"Isn't he just the kindest best man, Jeff?" asked Caroline Darrah, in her
enthusiasm sacrificing a frosted muffin cake between her clasped hands.