"Don't
you come in here; me and Billy's got the mumps and you-all 'r'
little girls and ought n' to have 'em. Don't you come near us;
they 're ketching."
The two little girls immediately opened the gate, crossed the
yard, mid stood in front of Billy. They inspected him with
admiration; he bore their critical survey with affected unconcern
and indifference, as befitted one who had attained such
prominence.
"Don't tech 'em," he commanded, waving them off as he leaned
gracefully against the fence.
"I teched 'em," boasted the younger boy. "What'll you all give
us if we Il let you put your finger on 'em?"
"I ain't a-goin' to charge little girls nothin'," said the
gallant Billy, as he proffered his swollen jowl to each in turn.
A little darkey riding a big black horse was galloping by;
Jimmy hailed and halted him.
"You better go fast," he shrieked. "Me and Billy and Frances and
Lina's got the mumps and you ain't got no business to have 'em
'cause you're a nigger, and you better take your horse to the
lib'ry stable 'cause he might ketch 'em too.
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