8

James Kerby Ward

-7-

"Well, this is the girl's room. They always got a mess in their
room seems like, 'cause if they ain't a-doing one thing, it's another.
That dress there is a costume to use in the play at school and it cost
me $3 just to use for that night. It sure does take mone to send
girls to school. They don't teach like they use to. They do a lot of
frolickin nowadays and they don't remember what they learn no longer
than that," and she snapped her fingers.

The bedroom furniture was of old ivory that needed a good soaping.
The dressing table was littered and the drawers pulled out. A stocking
dangled from one, a veil from another.

The next room was William's den, the neatest room in the house.
There were only two pieces of furniture, a small bed and a chifforobe.
On top of the chifforobe, there was a miniature of a girl and a set of
Better English. "His best girl," Mrs. Ward commented. "He's been
a-goin with her for seven years and I expect they will mary someday.
She's sure a nice girl and he don't go with nobody else.

"I'm not a-goin to show you the room we sleep in, 'cause Mr. Ward
always makes such a mess when he comes home to rest. He comes home
every day from 1 till 3:30 and then there's no use to make up the bed-
room, 'cause he always lies down before lunch. He has more time off than
William but I'm glad they can come home for their dinner."

When we returned to the living room, Mr. Ward said, "This is the
worst looking furniture we got and I am to buy a new suite for this
room next. Looks like the time I get one thing paid for the last thing
is worn out and I need new things for the house all the time." The

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