said, "No, my husband got killed in the war." My mother replied,
"Well, my husband died right after the war. I have been away from my
little brood for four years. With a hard struggle, I have got them
away from the Farrin plantation, for they did not want to let them go.
But I got them. I was determined to have them. But they would not let
me have them if they could have kept them. With God's help I will keep
them from starving. The white folks are good to me. They give me work,
and I know, with God's help, I can get along." The white woman
replied, "Yes, Auntie, my husband left me on a rich man's plantation.
This man promised to look out for me until my husband came home; but
he got killed in the war, and the Yankees have set his negroes free
and he said he could not help me any more, and we would have to do the
best we could for ourselves. I gave my things to a woman to keep for
me until I could find my kinsfolk. They live about fifty miles from
here, up in the country. I am on my way there now." My mother said,
"How long will it take you to get there?" "About three days, if it
don't rain." My mother said, "Ain't you got some way to ride there?"
"No, Auntie, there is no way of riding up where my folks live, the
place where I am from."

We hoped the talk was most ended, for we were anxiously watching that
pot. Pretty soon my mother seemed to realize our existence. She
exclaimed, "My Lord! I suppose the little children are nearly starved.
Are those pease done, young ones?" She turned and said to the white
woman, "Have you-all had anything to eat?" "We stopped at a house
about dinner time, but the woman didn't have anything but some bread
and buttermilk." My mother said, "Well, honey, I ain't got but a
little, but I will divide with you." The woman said, "Thank you,
Auntie. You just give my children a little; I can do without it."