Their-Eyes-Were-Watching-God-rmrju9

108 4. Zora Neale HurstonIn the cool of the afternoon the fiend from hell specially sentto lovers arrived at Janie's ear. Doubt. All the fears that circumstancecould provide and the heart feel, attacked her on everyside. This was a new sensation for her, but no less excruciating. Ifonly Tea Cake would make her certain! He did not return thatnight nor the next and so she plunged into the abyss anddescended to the ninth darkness where light has never been.But the fourth day after he came in the afternoon driving abattered car. Jumped out like a deer and made the gesture oftying it to a post on the store porch. Ready with his grin! Sheadored him and hated him at the same time. How could he makeher suffer so and then come grinning like that with that darlingway he had? He pinched her arm as he walked inside the door."Brought me somethin' tuh haul you off in," he told herwith that secret chuckle. "Git yo' hat if you gointuh wear one.We got tuh go buy groceries.""Ah sells groceries right here in dis store, Tea Cake, if youdon't happen tuh know." She tried to look cold but she was smilingin spite of herself."Not de kind we want fuh de occasion. You sells groceries forordinary people. We'se gointuh buy for you. De big SundaySchool picnic is tomorrow—bet you done forget it—and we gottuh be dere wid uh swell basket and ourselves.""Ah don't know 'bout dat, Tea Cake. Tell yuh whut you do.G'wan down tuh de house and wait for me. Be dere in uhminute."As soon as she thought it looked right she slipped out of theback and joined Tea Cake. No need of fooling herself. Maybe hewas just being polite."Tea Cake, you sure you want me tuh go tuh dis picnic widyuh?""Me scramble 'round tuh git de money tuh take yuh—been