2

Alabama - No Lawd I ain't Ready 2

On the wall above were two hollow-out silhouettes. On the mantel
was a small figurine which I imagine was of Derby Bisque, whose com-
panion no doubt had shared the fate of other treasures. To the right
stood an old wing chair, the needle-point of its cushion soiled and
frayed. There was an old blue perfume bottle holding a bunch of faded
artificial flowers. On a small marble-topped table nearby was an
etched hurricane glass of great beauty.

In turning, I faced, though it was partly hidden now by the open
door, a tall bookcase piled high with books. Suddenly I became conscious
of the titles of several books on the shelf directly level with my eye,
Darwin's Origin of Species, the Descent of Men, and various works of
philosophy. It was while I was examining these that I heard the sound
of shuffling feet and the voice broke into the silence.

I tried as best I could to explain why I was there. "I came here
looking for Hester Frye," I said. "This here is Hessie," she replied.
"I was told," I continued, "that you lived on the old Johnson place and
sonehow I imagined this was the house, that is until I saw the books.
Then I became so interested I hoped I might buy some from whoever owned
them."

"Hit too late now," she said, "but I wish to de Lawd you had er
got 'em a long time ago, fer they ain't done Mr. Charlie no good,
nor nobody else, ef you ax me." She walked slowly into the room, through
the door I had entered, and out the back. "De front door done been boa'ded
up," she added, "caze don't nobody never come here no mo'." putting into
that cryptic sentence all that one somehow felt.

I followed her down the back steps and across the narrow plank walk
to a small cabin which I had somehow not seen on the far side of the
house. "If this is your house," I said, "won't you let me come in and
talk with you awhile, and tell me something of your family, and what

665