I don't like ter go ter meetin' atter hit starts. I want ter
hyear Brer Dan'l's tex', I duz. I can't neber enj'y de sermon doutn I
hyears de tex'."
You may be sure it wasn't long before the children were all ready for
they knew Mammy would be as good as her word, and would not wait for
them. When they reached the church, which was a very nice wooden
building that Major Waldron had had built for that purpose, there was
a large crowd assembled; for, besides Major Waldron's own slaves,
quite a number from the adjoining plantations were there. The younger
negroes were laughing and chatting in groups outside the door, but the
older ones wore very solemn countenances, and walked gravely in and up
to the very front pews. On Mammy's arrival, she placed the little
girls in seats at the back of the house, and left Dilsey and Chris and
Riar on the seat just behind them, "fur ter min' em'," as she said
(for the children must always be under the supervision of somebody),
and then she went to her accustomed place at the front; for Mammy was
one of the leading members, and sat in the amen corner.
Soon after they had taken their seats, Uncle Gabe, who had a powerful
voice, and led the singing, struck up:
"Roll, Jordan, roll! roll, Jordan, roll!
I want ter go ter heb'n wen I die,
Fur ter hyear sweet Jordan roll.
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