Their-Eyes-Were-Watching-God-rmrju9

84 O'n Zora Neale HurstonSo Janie began to think of Death. Death, that strange beingwith the huge square toes who lived way in the West. The greatone who lived in the straight house like a platform without sidesto it, and without a roof. What need has Death for a cover, andwhat winds can blow against him? He stands in his high housethat overlooks the world. Stands watchful and motionless all daywith his sword drawn back, waiting for the messenger to bid himcome. Been standing there before there was a where or a when ora then. She was liable to find a feather from his wings lying in heryard any day now. She was sad and afraid too. Poor Jody! Heought not to have to wrassle in there by himself. She sent Sam into suggest a visit, but Jody said No. These medical doctors wuzall right with the Godly sick, but they didn't know a thing abouta case like his. He'd be all right just as soon as the two-headedman found what had been buried against him. He wasn't goingto die at all. That was what he thought. But Sam told her different,so she knew. And then if he hadn't, the next morning she wasbound to know, for people began to gather in the big yard underthe palm and china-berry trees. People who would not havedared to foot the place before crept in and did not come to thehouse. Just squatted under the trees and waited. Rumor, thatwingless bird, had shadowed over the town.She got up that morning with the firm determination to goon in there and have a good talk with Jody. But she sat a longtime with the walls creeping in on her. Four walls squeezing herbreath out. Fear lest he depart while she sat trembling upstairsnerved her and she was inside the room before she caught herbreath. She didn't make the cheerful, casual start that she hadthought out. Something stood like an oxen's foot on her tongue,and then too, Jody, no Joe, gave her a ferocious look. A look withall the unthinkable coldness of outer space. She must talk to aman who was ten immensities away.