"Which reminds me," she said, turning her
steely eyes to me. "How did your mother know to come? How did you send for her?" she demanded.
"And don't tell me you told some bird to go fetch her." Fearful, I looked at Mama. Would Gladys Tate
cast us out now, and with us all the effort, the
suffering and loneliness, I endured for the sake of the
baby and my family?
"Better tell her everything, honey," Mama said. "There was this boy," I began..
"Boy? What boy?" she pounced, her eyes
widening.
"I saw him doing handstands on the lawn
behind the house, and he saw me in the window. But
he won't tell anyone I'm here. He promised
," I added
quickly.
"What boy is this?" she asked Octavious.
"Whom is she babbling about?" He shrugged. "What's his name?" she asked me.
"Henry," I said.
"The deaf-mute," Octavious said, realizing.
"Porter's son."
"Get rid of them," Gladys snapped. "Today. I
want the whole family off the property."
"But, Madame Tate," I cried. "He's harmless.
He won't tell anyone anything, and he did help by
getting Mama. Don't punish his family because of
me." "I want them off my property before the sun
goes down, Octavious. Do you understand?" she said,
ignoring my pleas. He nodded.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of them," he assured
her, but she didn't look calmed.
"You were not supposed to let anyone know