All along the verandah I noticed that the green blinded
long windows made other entrances for whoever chose them.
The door was open for us already, and within was a row of dark
faces of men and women, and a show of white teeth that looked
like a welcome. I wondered aunt Gary did not say more to
answer the welcome; she only dropped a few careless words as
she went in, and asked if dinner was ready. I looked from one
to another of the strange faces and gleaming rows of teeth.
These were my mother's servants; that was something that came
near to my heart. I heard inquiries after "Mis' Felissy," and
"Mass' Randolph," and then the question, "Mis' 'Lizy, is this
little missis?" It was asked by an old, respectable-looking,
grey-haired negress. I did not hear my aunt's answer; but I
stopped and turned to the woman and laid my little hand in her
withered palm. I don't know what there was in that minute;
only I know that whereas I touched one hand, I touched a great
many hearts. Then and there began my good understanding with
all the coloured people on my mother's estate of Magnolia.
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