The Help / Прислуга. Книга для чтения на английском языке

Why she never tell me this before? “You saying people think I got the black magic?”

“I knew it make you worry if I told you. They just think you got a better connection than most. We all on a party line to God, but you, you setting right in his ear.”

My teapot start fussing on the stove, bringing me back to real life. Law, I reckon I just go ahead and put Miss Skeeter on the list, but how come, I don’t know. Which reminds me a what I don’t want a think about, that Miss Leefolt’s building me a bathroom cause she think I’m diseased.

And Miss Skeeter asking don’t I want to change things, like changing Jackson, Mississippi, gone be like changing a lightbulb.

* * *

I’m stringing beans in Miss Leefolt’s kitchen and the phone rings. I’m hoping it’s Minny to say she found something. I done called everbody I ever waited on and they all told me the same thing: “We ain’t hiring.[21 - We ain’t hiring. – (искаж.) Нам не нужна прислуга.]” But what they really mean is: “We ain’t hiring Minny.

”

Even though Minny already had her last day a work three days ago, Miss Walter call Minny in secret last night, ask her to come in today cause the house feel too empty, what with most the furniture already taken away by Miss Hilly. I still don’t know what happen with Minny and Miss Hilly. I reckon I don’t really want to know.

“Leefolt residence.”

“Um, hi. This is…” The lady stop, clear her throat. “Hello. May I… may I please speak to Elizabeth Leerfolt?”

“Miss Leefolt ain’t home right now.

May I take a message?”

“Oh,” she say, like she got all excited over nothing.

“May I ask who calling?”

“This is… Celia Foote. My husband gave me this number here and I don’t know Elizabeth, but… well, he said she knows all about the Children’s Benefit and the Ladies League.” I know this name, but I can’t quite place it. This woman talk like she from so deep in the country she got corn growing in her shoes.

Her voice is sweet though, high-pitch. Still, she don’t sound like the ladies round here do.

“I give her your message,” I say. “What’s your number?”

“I’m kind of new here and, well, that’s not true, I’ve been here a pretty good stretch, gosh, over a year now. I just don’t really know anybody. I don’t… get out too much.”

She clear her throat again and I’m wondering why she telling me all this.