Jem always had known what
it was to have real wisdom. Jem had always all his life been
understanding.
Jem Richards made Melanctha Herbert come fast with him. He never gave
her any time with waiting. Soon Melanctha always had Jem with her.
Melanctha did not want anything better. Now in Jem Richards, Melanctha
found everything she had ever needed to content her.
Melanctha was now less and less with Rose Johnson. Rose did not think
much of the way Melanctha now was going. Jem Richards was all right,
only Melanctha never had no sense of the right kind of way she should
be doing. Rose often was telling Sam now, she did not like the fast
way Melanctha was going. Rose told it to Sam, and to all the girls and
men, when she saw them. But Rose was nothing just then to Melanctha.
Melanctha Herbert now only needed Jem Richards to be with her.
And things were always getting stronger between Jem Richards and
Melanctha Herbert. Jem Richards began to talk now as if he wanted to
get married to her. Jem was deep in his love now for her. And as for
Melanctha, Jem was all the world now to her. And so Jem gave her a
ring, like white folks, to show he was engaged to her, and would by
and by be married to her. And Melanctha was filled full with joy to
have Jem so good to her.
Melanctha always loved to go with Jem to the races. Jem had been lucky
lately with his betting, and he had a swell turn-out to drive in, and
Melanctha looked very handsome there beside him.
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