FOLKS FROM DIXIE
got to be James." Jim did n't answer, and there was another space of silence, only interrupted by two or three contented gurgles from the baby.
"I bet two bits she don't look like me," he said finally, in a dogged tone that was a little tinged with curiosity.
"I know she do. Look at huh yo'se'f."
"I ain' gwine look at huh."
"Yes, you 's 'fraid— dat 's de reason."
"I ain' 'fraid nuttin' de kin'. What I got to be 'fraid fu'? I reckon a man kin look at his own darter. I will look jes' to spite you."
He could n't see much but a bundle of rags, from which sparkled a pair of beady black eyes. But he put his finger down among the rags. The baby seized it and gurgled. The sweat broke out on Jim's brow.
"Cain't you let me hold de baby a minute?" he said angrily. "You must be 'fraid I 'll run off wid huh." He took the child awkwardly in his arms.
The boiling over of Mandy's clothes took her to the other part of the room, where she was busy for a few minutes. When she turned to look for Jim, he had slipped out, and Jimsella
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