8

James Kerby Ward

-7-

"Well, this is the girl's room. They always got a mess in their
room seems like, 'cause if they ain't a-doing one thing, it's another.
That dress there is a costume to use in the play at school and it cost
me $3 just to use for that night. It sure does take money to send
girls to school. They don't teach like they use to. They do a lot of
frolickin nowadays and they don't remember what they learn no longer
than that," and she snapped her fingers.

The bedroom furniture was of old ivory that needed a good soaping.
The dressing table was littered and the drawers pulled out. A stocking
dangled from one, a veil from another.

The next room was William's den, the neatest room in the house.
There were only two pieces of furniture, a small bed and a chifforobe.
On top of the chifforobe, there was a miniature of a girl and a set of
Better English. "His best girl," Mrs. Ward commented. "He's been
a-goin with her for seven years and I expect they will marry someday.
She's sure a nice girl and he don't go with nobody else.

"I'm not a-goin to show you the room we sleep in, 'cause Mr. Ward
always makes such a mess when he comes home to rest. He comes home
every day from 1 till 3:30 and then there 's no use to make up the bed-
room, 'cause he always lies down before lunch. He has more time off than
William but I 'm glad they can come home for their dinner."

When we returned to the living room, Mr. Ward said, "This is the
worst looking furniture we got and I am to buy a new suite for this
room next. Looks like the time I get one thing paid for the last thing
is worn out and I need new things for the house all the time." The

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