"
Pomp looked at his teacher to see if he was in earnest. Seeing
that he was, he judged it best to find the book.
Looking into the work-box, he said innocently: "I 'clare to
gracious, Mass' Frank, if it hasn't slipped down yere. Dat's
mi'ty cur's, dat is."
"Pomp, sit down," said Frank. "I am going to talk to you
seriously. What makes you tell so many lies?"
"Dunno any better," replied Pomp, grinning.
"Yes, you do, Pomp. Doesn't your mother tell you not to lie?"
"Lor', Mass' Frank, she's poor ignorant nigger. She don't know
nuffin'."
"You mustn't speak so of your mother. She brings you up as well
as she knows how. She has to work hard for you, and you ought to
love her."
"So I do, 'cept when she licks me."
"If you behave properly she won't whip you. You'll grow up a
'poor, ignorant nigger' yourself. if you don't study."
"Shall I get white, Mass' Frank, if I study?" asked Pomp, showing
a double row of white teeth.
"You were white enough just now," said Frank, smiling.
"Yah, yah!" returned Pomp, who appreciated the joke.
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