Our pep rallies invariably ended when Mrs. Brown’s large head would peer into the window and flash disapproving, desultory glances at me and the kids. The kids reacted as if a death’s-head was in the window. After school Mrs. Brown would lecture me about the “proper way to conduct yourself around colored children.” She repeated her offer to buy me a leather strap. I thanked her and told her that I was looking at a bullwhip in Savannah.
