But to their surprise "ole Miss Meanses' white nigger," as some of them called her in allusion to her slavish life, spelled these great words with as perfect ease as the master.

Still not doubting the result, the Squire turned from place to place and selected all the hard words he could find.

The school became utterly quiet, the excitement was too great for the ordinary buzz.

Would "Meanses' Hanner" beat the master?
beat the master that had laid out Jim Phillips?
Everybody's sympathy was now turned to Hannah.

Ralph noticed that even Shocky had deserted him, and that his face grew brilliant every time Hannah spelled a word.