Except it wasn't Will Mayes," a barber said. He was a man of middle age; a thin,
sand-colored man with a mild face, who was shaving a client. "I know Will Mayes. He's a
good nigger. And I know Miss Minnie Cooper, too."
"What do you know about her?" a second barber said.
"Who is she?" the client said. "A young girl?"
"No," the barber said. "She's about forty, I reckon. She ain't married. That's why I
don't believe...