was engulfed in an embrace which reminded him of the time he
had been buried under seven tons of fermented hay.

He came to the surface. "Cuspido', sho' is glad to see you. Whah at's
dem pussonal preserves you 'scribed 'bout in yo' letteh?"

"Sit down till I feeds yo'. Is you as hungry as you always wuz I reckon
you massacrees all de vittles in de house."

After the Wildcat had eaten within an inch of his life he sat back from
the table and took a deep breath. "Whuf! Stomach's gittin' so big mah
arms won' reach pas' it. Does it keep on mebbe Ah's 'bliged to turn
roun' an' eat backwa'ds. Sho' is noble rashuns. Noblest rashuns I eveh
et wuz heah."

He consumed an hour recounting his adventures in France for the benefit
of Cuspidora Lee. At the conclusion of the recital the Wildcat was
invited to make his abode in the Lee residence.

"Craves to, Cuspido', but Ah kain't. Ol' Cap'n Jack needs me. Wunst I
leaves ol' Cap'n, dat boy run wild an' Ah finds him out in San
F'mcisco. Ah'll be draggin' 'long now. Sees yo' in de gran'stan' at de
ball park during de Konk'rin' Heroes' Parade nex' Thursday."

"You sees me befo' dat. I's givin' a weegee pa'ty We'n'sday night, an'
I bids yo' welcome."

"How come weegee?"

"Ain't you know weegee--little boa'd whut points out is you or ain't
you an' how come in de pas', present, an' future?"

"Sho! How de boa'd know?"

"Spirits. Man whut sells de boa'ds runs de spirits."

"Is you tryin' to plague me?"

"You come heah Wensday night an' see is I."

The Wildcat returned to Captain Jack's residence. "Sho' is gran' to git
home," he reflected. "Parades, weegee pa'ties--fust thing I knows Ah'll
be claimed by de church sociables. Sho' beats France. Stays heah an'
works fo' ol' Cap'n Jack, eats me heavy, raises Lily, 'filiates at de
barber shop wid de boys. Sho' beats de A.E.F. wah bizness."

His daydreaming was interrupted by Captain Jack's commanding voice.

"Wildcat, come here."

"Cap'n, yessuh."

"I'm going away for three months," Captain Jack abruptly announced.
Then he added: "Keep your eye on things."

"Cap'n, yessuh. Goin' 'way!... When does us staht?"

"Us don't start. For once in my life I hope to go some place and come
back without being hounded by my Wildcat nigger."

"Cap'n, yessuh. Whut beats me is how yo' aims to git along widout me
takin' keer o' you. You neveh wuz no single thriveh."

"I'll get along without you. Go in and lock up the trunks."

"Mis' Cap'