Chapter 4: An Accident and an Incident

“Our deeds still travel with us from afar,
And what we have been makes us what we are.”
Through the assistance of Asia Wiggs, Lovey Mary secured pleasant and profitable work at the factory; but her mind was not at peace. Of course it was a joy to wear the red dress and arrange her hair a different way each morning, but there was a queer, restless little feeling in her heart that spoiled even the satisfaction of looking like other girls and earning three dollars a week. The very fact that nobody took her to task, that nobody scolded or blamed her, caused her to ask herself disturbing questions. Secret perplexity had the same effect upon her that it has upon many who are older and wiser: it made her cross.

Two days after she started to work, Asia, coming down from the decorating-room for lunch, found her in fiery dispute with a red- haired girl. There had been an accident in front of the factory, and the details were under discussion.

“Well, I know all about it,” declared the red-haired girl, excitedly, “‘cause my sister was the first one that got to her.”

“Is your sister a nigger named Jim Brown?” asked Lovey Mary, derisively. “Ever’body says he was the first one got there.”

“Was there blood on her head?” asked Asia, trying to stem the tide of argument.

“Yes, indeed,” said the first speaker; “on her head an’ on her hands, too. I hanged on the steps when they was puttin’ her in the ambalance- wagon, an’ she never knowed a bloomin’ thing!”

“Why didn’t you go on with them to the hospital!” asked Lovey Mary. “I don’t see how the doctors could get along without you.”