No! Lots of 'em don't. Lots of 'em
thinks we're poor and low down--and them ez doesn't, thinks"--
"What?" asked her brother sharply.
"That we're MEAN."
The quick color came to Jim's cheek. "So," he said, facing her
quickly, "for the sake of a lot of riff-raff and scum that's
drifted here around us--jest for the sake of cuttin' a swell before
them--you'll go out among the hounds ez allowed your mother was a
Spanish nigger or a kanaka, ez called your father a pirate and
landgrabber, ez much as allowed he was shot by some one or killed
himself a purpose, ez said you was a heathen and a looney because
you didn't go to school or church along with their trash, ez kept
away from Maw's sickness ez if it was smallpox, and Dad's fun'ral
ez if he was a hoss-thief, and left you and me to watch his coffin
on the marshes all night till the tide kem back. And now you--YOU
that jined hands with me that night over our father lyin' there
cold and despised--ez if he was a dead dog thrown up by the tide--
and swore that ez long ez that tide ebbed and flowed it couldn't
bring you to them, or them to you agin! You now want--what? What?
Why, to go and cast your lot among 'em, and live among 'em, and
join in their God-forsaken holler foolishness, and--and--and"--
"Stop! It's a lie! I DIDN'T say that. Don't you dare to say it!"
said the girl, springing to her feet, and facing her brother in
turn, with flashing eyes.
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