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           Francisroseandsprinteddownthecatwalktotheoldkitchen.Atasafedistancehecalled,"He’snothin’butanigger-lover!"

           "Heisnot!"Iroared."Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkin’about,butyoubettercutitoutthisredhotminute!"

           Ileapedoffthestepsandrandownthecatwalk.ItwaseasytocollarFrancis.Isaidtakeitbackquick.

           Francisjerkedlooseandspedintotheoldkitchen."Nigger-lover!"heyelled.

           Whenstalkingone’sprey,itisbesttotakeone’stime.Saynothing,andassureaseggshewillbecomecuriousandemerge.Francisappearedatthekitchendoor."Youstillmad,JeanLouise?"heaskedtentatively.

           "Nothingtospeakof,"Isaid.

           Franciscameoutonthecatwalk.

           "Yougonnatakeitback,Fra—ancis?"ButIwastooquickonthedraw.Francisshotbackintothekitchen,soIretiredtothesteps.Icouldwaitpatiently.IhadsatthereperhapsfiveminuteswhenIheardAuntAlexandraspeak:"Where’sFrancis?"

           "He’soutyonderinthekitchen."

           "Heknowshe’snotsupposedtoplayinthere."

           Franciscametothedoorandyelled,"Grandma,she’sgotmeinhereandshewon’tletmeout!"

           "Whatisallthis,JeanLouise?"