A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

Author:Ernest J. Gaines [Gaines, Ernest J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Adult, Classics
ISBN: 9780785769811
Publisher: Vintage
Published: 1993-06-15T04:00:00+00:00

18

AS HE HAD PROMISED, the sheriff went to Jefferson and asked him if he would like to meet his visitors in the dayroom instead of his cell. The sheriff explained that he would be shackled hand and feet there. He also told Jefferson that it was entirely up to him and that his wishes would be carried out.

“If that’s what they want,” Jefferson said.

“No, not what they want; what you want.”

“If that’s what they want,” Jefferson repeated.

“Is it yes, then?”

“If that’s what they want,” Jefferson said. “I’m go’n die anyhow.”

When Miss Emma and my aunt and Reverend Ambrose went to the courthouse, they were led to the dayroom by the young deputy, Paul. The large room contained three tables, made of steel, with benches attached on either side, also of steel. There were no other visitors in the dayroom, and Miss Emma selected the center table. Paul told them that he would be back in a few minutes. While he was gone, Miss Emma took out the food and placed it on the table. She set places for four, two on either side of the table. My aunt and Reverend Ambrose stood back, watching her. My aunt would say later that Miss Emma went about setting the table the same way she would have done at home, humming her ’Termination song to herself.

“This go’n be his place, and this go’n be my place,” she said. My aunt said that Miss Emma, still humming to herself, passed her hand over the table to make sure there was no dust, no specks there—just as she would do at home. “That’s your place there, Lou, and that’s yours right there, Reverend Ambrose,” she said. “Don’t it look nice? Ain’t this much better?”

My aunt and Reverend Ambrose agreed that it looked nice and that it was much better than the cell.

Then they heard the chains. And a moment later, the door at the far end of the room opened and Jefferson came in, followed by the deputy. Jefferson had not been chained before, and he took long steps that caused him to trip, my aunt said. He came to the table like somebody half blind, and he didn’t sit down until Paul told him to do so. Paul told him that he had to stay in that one place until he was returned to his cell.

“He ain’t go’n move,” Miss Emma said. “I’m go’n see to that. I thank you kindly.”

“You understand, don’t you, Jefferson?” Paul said.

“I yer you,” Jefferson said.

“He go’n mind,” Miss Emma said. “I’m go’n see to that.”

“Y’all have a good dinner,” Paul said, and left.

“He come from good stock,” Miss Emma said. “Y’all sit down. Well, Jefferson, how you feeling?”

He did not answer her. He sat with bowed head, his cuffed hands down between his knees under the table.

My aunt and Reverend Ambrose sat down. Miss Emma dished up the food. Mustard greens with pieces of pork fat mixed in it. There was stewed beef meat, rice, and biscuits. A little cake for dessert, my aunt said.

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