matter how much his influence might help you to rise. Put the rollers under him! Get rid of him. He's a menace. . . . I know, she went on. I've been through it. Don't imagine I haven't had to struggle. Christ! . . . She bowed her head in her flattened palms. . . . I've been hounded—until, thank God, I became too strong for the pack. They can't crucify me again. When they try, I crucify them.
She began to sob passionately.
Lasca! Lasca darling, don't do that! He was by her side on the instant.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, she pushed him away.
These Niggers! she cried. Well, I learned about life from them. They taught me to kick my rivals. They taught me to hate everybody who got more than I did. And I'll say this: they gave me the strength with their dirty tricks to lift myself out of the muck and mire they call Negro society. There isn't one of 'em, at that, who would dare thwart me, cross my path. Let them dare. . . . Now she was raging . . . They know I'll beat them, beat them at their own game
Byron attempted to interrupt her. But . . . he began.
Let them alone! she screamed. They'll pull you down! They'll spit upon you! Always sweet to your face! Always charming—God, I'm sick of
