JIMMY: Yes, that’s lots better. Now they won’t die, will they? Rosebuds are just like little “chilyun,” aren’t they, Ma Rachel? If you are good to them, they’ll grow up into lovely roses, won’t they? And if you hurt them, they’ll die. Ma Rachel do you think all peoples are kind to little rosebuds?
RACHEL (_Watching Jimmy shortly_): Why, of course. Who could hurt little children? Who would have the heart to do such a thing?
JIMMY: If you hurt them, it would be lots kinder, wouldn’t it, to kill them all at once, and not a little bit and a little bit?
RACHEL (_Sharply_): Why, honey boy, why are you talking like this?
(_Rachel recoils as though she had been struck_).
RACHEL: Honey boy, why--why do you ask that?
JIMMY: Some big boys called me that when I came out of school just now. They said: “Look at the little nigger!” And they laughed. One of them runned, no ranned, after me and threw stones; and they all kept calling “Nigger! Nigger! Nigger!” One stone struck me hard in the back, and it hurt awful bad; but I didn’t cry, Ma Rachel. I wouldn’t let them make me cry. The stone hurts me there, Ma Rachel; but what they called me hurts and hurts here. What is a “Nigger,” Ma Rachel?
RACHEL (_Controlling herself with a tremendous effort. At last she sweeps down upon him and hugs and kisses him_): Why, honey boy, those boys didn’t mean anything. Silly, little, honey boy! They’re rough, that’s all. How _could_ they mean anything?
JIMMY: You’re only saying that, Ma Rachel, so I won’t be hurt. I know. It wouldn’t ache here like it does--if they didn’t mean something.
RACHEL (_Abruptly_): Where’s Mary, honey?
JIMMY: She’s in her flat. She came in just after I did.
RACHEL: Well, honey, I’m going to give you two big cookies and two to take to Mary; and you may stay in there and play with her, till I get your lunch ready. Won’t that be jolly?
JIMMY (_Brightening a little_): Why, you never give me but one at a time. You’ll give me two?--One? Two? (_Rachel gets the cookies and brings them to him. Jimmy climbs down from the chair_). Shoo! now, little honey boy. See how many laughs you can make for me, before I come after you. Hear? Have a good time, now. (_Jimmy starts for the door quickly; but he begins to slow down. His face gets long and serious again. Rachel watches him_).