There is a great deal of tyrannizing over each other. "Mind now, min', run quick or I knock you,"--or "kill you dead" it is as likely to be,--is an ordinary method of getting anything done, while "cursing," as they call calling names, etc., is one of the hardest things I have to contend with in school, they are so quick to interpret any look or act into an offense and resent it on the spot with word or blow. _Sept. 9._ I had a long talk with some of my big girls who had been very noisy and fighting--they do "knock" each other most unmercifully, and I can't instill any better notions into them. "Anybody hurt you, you _'bleeged_ to knock 'em," is the universal response, and they have no idea of letting any difficulty be peaceably settled. The definite reply which these people require to the ordinary salutation of Hahdy? or Huddy? into which it has degenerated here, is very amusing, and a corresponding inquiry is expected in return, to which they give the most minute answers. "Good morning, Hacklis (Hercules), how are you to-day?" "Stirring, tank you, Ma'am, how youself?" and if I had a headache I should no more think of saying "pretty well" than if I were being cross-questioned at the bar--the inquiry is so sincere and expects such a particular reply. "Dunno, Missus--tank de Lord for life," is a common rejoinder, as well as "Not so well, tank you, ma'am." This is as good a place as any for some more examples of negro speech and negro ways. The sayings of Rose, in particular, were a constant source of interest and amusement. H. W. writes that she "tells me everything, in her simplicity, even to the fact that her father has silver money which he keeps buried, and that her mother sends her to the pen for milk before it comes up here!" [_May 16._] Rose commented, "You lub Miss Helen," and then in a few minutes, "Miss Helen lub you. All two (both). I love Miss Helen, too. Miss Helen one _nice_ buckra. You more rough 'long er Miss Helen. Miss Helen _so_ softle--when him touch me I no feel 'um--me feel you--you so strong." All this with inimitable gesture and expression and a "leetle" and "middling-sized-bear" voice that was inexpressibly droll.