begin her small nephew's
training; if she was ever to teach him to speak correctly she must begin
at once.

"William," she said sternly, "you must not talk so much like a negro.
Instead of saying 'I sho' is hongry,' you should say, 'I am very
hungry.' Listen to me and try to speak more correctly."

"Don't! don't!" she screamed as he helped himself to the meat and gravy,
leaving a little brown river on her fresh white tablecloth. "Wait until
I ask a blessing; then I will help you to what you want."

Billy enjoyed his breakfast very much. "These muffins sho' is--" he
began; catching his aunt's eye he corrected himself--

"These muffins am very good."

"These muffins are very good," said Miss Minerva patiently.

"Did you ever eat any bobbycued rabbit?" he asked. "Me an' Wilkes Booth
Lincoln been eatin' chit'lins, an' sweet 'taters, an' 'possum, an'
squirrel, an' hoecake, an' Brunswick stew ever sence we's born," was his
proud announcement.

"Use your napkin," commanded she, "and don't fill your mouth so full."

The little boy flooded his plate with syrup.

"These-here 'lasses sho' is--" he began, but instantly remembering that
he must be more particular in his speech, he stammered out:

"These-here sho' is--am--are a nice messer 'lasses. I ain't never eat
sech a good bait. They sho' is--I aimed to say--these 'lasses sho' are a
bird; they's 'nother sight tastier 'n sorghum, an' Aunt Cindy 'lows that
sorghum is the very penurity of a nigger."

She did not again correct him.

"I must be very patient," she thought, "and go very slowly. I must not
expect too much of him at first."

After breakfast Miss Minerva, who would not keep a servant, preferring
to do her own work, tied a big cook-apron around the little boy's neck,
and told him to churn while she washed the dishes. This arrangement did
not suit Billy.

"Boys don't churn," he said sullenly, "me an' Wilkes Booth Lincoln don'
never have to churn sence we's born; 'omans has to churn an' I ain't
agoing to. Major Minerva--he ain't never churn," he began belligerently
but his relative turned an uncompromising and rather perturbed back upon
him. Realizing that he was beaten, he submitted to his fate, clutched
the dasher angrily, and began his weary work.

He was glad his little black friend did not witness his disgrace.

As he thought of Wilkes Booth Lincoln the big tears came into his eyes
and rolled down his cheeks; he leaned way over the churn and the grea