prejudice."

Joe was wide-eyed with wonder and admiration, and he could n't
understand the amused expression on Thomas's face, nor why he
surreptitiously kicked him under the table.

Finally the reporter went his way, and Joe's sponsor explained to him
that he was not to take in what Skaggsy said, and that there had n't
been a word of truth in it. He ended with, "Everybody knows Maudie, and
that coloured girl is Mamie Lacey, and never worked for anybody in her
life. Skaggsy 's a good fellah, all right, but he 's the biggest liar in
N' Yawk."

The boy was distinctly shocked. He was n't sure but Thomas was jealous
of the attention the white man had shown him and wished to belittle it.
Anyway, he did not thank him for destroying his romance.

About eleven o'clock, when the people began to drop in from the plays,
the master of ceremonies opened proceedings by saying that "The free
concert would now begin, and he hoped that all present, ladies included,
would act like gentlemen, and not forget the waiter. Mr. Meriweather
will now favour us with the latest coon song, entitled 'Come back to yo'
Baby, Honey.'"

There was a patter of applause, and a young negro came forward, and in a
strident, music-hall voice, sung or rather recited with many gestures
the ditty. He could n't have been much older than Joe, but already his
face was hard with dissipation and foul knowledge. He gave the song
with all the rank suggestiveness that could be put into it. Joe looked
upon him as a hero. He was followed by a little, brown-skinned fellow