“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

He was very fond as a child of Edward Briscoe, who was also Negro. Edward was poor and the victim of circumstances. He helped out in Ruburt’s household, therefore Ruburt feels that he should be extremely pleasant and helpful to any Negro, for this other boy’s sake. And so he felt extremely guilty because he did not welcome the thought of this other Negro into his house.

He was quite correct in assuming as he did that his upset had little to do with a lack of chairs, since he knew perfectly well that a sufficiency was available. Now, for another piece to our puzzle. The mayor is also to be present upon this occasion, and Ruburt thought subconsciously how pleased her friend, Edward Briscoe, would be in his simple way—in the old days—to be present, and how impressed he would be with the mayor.

So Edward and this Negro owner of the gallery became entwined in Ruburt’s mind. He knew that it would be quite an occasion for this young man to visit informally, so to speak, with the mayor, though he would vehemently deny it; and yet Ruburt did not want the man in the house, therefore denying him such a privilege at least in thought.