"I be through with this man in the chair one minute, Mist' Sheridan," he said, in a hushed tone.

"Yessuh." And of a solemn negro youth who stood by, gazing stupidly, "You goin' RESIGN ?" he demanded in a fierce undertone.

"You goin' take Mist' Sheridan's coat ?" He sent an angry look round the shop, and the barbers, taking his meaning, averted their eyes and fell to work, the murmur of subdued conversation buzzing from chair to chair.
"You sit down ONE minute, Mist' Sheridan," said the head barber, gently.
"I fix nice chair fo' you to wait in." "Never mind," said Sheridan.

"Go on get through with your man." "Yessuh." And he went quickly back to his chair on tiptoe, followed by Sheridan's puzzled gaze.
Something had gone wrong in the shop, evidently.

Sheridan did not know what to make of it.