“Dat de t’ing!” said Peter, a note of admiration in his voice. “She sho ain’t axin’ no visit offen none of she neighbor.” And he emitted an indiscreet chuckle, which was too much for his friend. “Yuh po’, ole, wall-eyed, sof’-headed gran’daddy! Ain’t yuh ’shame’ tuh set dey befo’ me, an’ talk sweet-mout’ ’bout dat murderin’ Crown’s Bess? Ef I wuz yo’ age, an’ er man, I’d sabe my sof’ wo’d fer de Gawd-farin’ ladies.” “Ef yuh wuz my age, an’ a man--” commenced Peter. He hesitated, and looked long at her with his dim, kindly eyes; then he shook his head. “No; it ain’t no use. Yuh wouldn’t onderstan’. Dat somet’ing shemale sense ain’t goin’ tuh help yuh none wid.” And, still shaking his head, he knocked out his pipe, and departed in the direction of the stable, where he was presently greeted by a soft, comprehending whinny. Bess entered Porgy’s room and swung her pail of water to its place beside the new wood stove that had superseded the old, open hearth, and busied herself with preparations for supper. Porgy was seated in a low chair near the door. He was smoking contentedly, and the odd tension that had characterized him, even in his moments of silent thought, had given place to a laxed attitude of body and an expression of well-being. An infinitesimal negro passed with a whistle and a double shuffle. “Look hyuh, sonny!” called Porgy. The boy paused, hesitated, and advanced slowly. Porgy held out a large round ball, striped red and white. “How ’bout er sweet?” he said a little self-consciously. The boy took the candy, and shuffled uneasily from foot to foot. “Dat’s right,” said Porgy, with a burst of sudden, warm laughter, that somehow startled the child. “Now yuh come again an’ see Porgy an’ Bess.” III [Illustration] PART III Porgy drove slowly down King Charles Street, and appraised the prospects for hitching and settling awhile in the narrow strip of shade against the walls of the buildings. The day was sweltering, and both cripple and goat were drooping beneath the steady pressure of the sun. A man passed, walking briskly. Porgy at once recognized the long, easy stride, and the soft felt hat drawn rather low over the eyes. He reached out and gave a slight twist to the tail of his somnambulant animal, which resulted in a shambling trot that brought the vehicle abreast of the pedestrian. But at that moment the gentleman stopped, produced a key, and opening the door of an office, passed in without looking around.