The Strength of Gideon and Other Stories. Paul Laurence Dunbar

Mima?" he asked.

      "Because—"

      "Because of the Harrison pride?"

      "Bartley!"

      "Your Mammy Peggy has confessed all to me."

      "Mammy Peggy!"

      "Yes."

      She tried hard to stiffen herself. "Then it is all out of the question," she began.

      "Don't let any little folly or pride stand between us," he broke in, drawing her to him.

      She gave up the struggle, and her head dropped upon his shoulder for a moment. Then she lifted her eyes, shining with tears to his face, and said, "Bartley, it wasn't my pride, it was Mammy Peggy's."

      He cut off further remarks.

      When he was gone, and mammy came in after a while, Mima ran to her crying,

      "Oh, mammy, mammy, you bad, stupid, dear old goose!" and she buried her head in the old woman's lap.

      "Oomph," grunted mammy, "I said de right kin' o' pride allus pays. But de wrong kin'—oomph, well, you'd bettah look out!"