Mungo lead Cassie by the hand up the stairs and into his bedroom. She did consider what her father would say if he knew she was in the black man’s bedroom. The racist would be angry and disappointed in her; Cassie did not share her father’s racist views thankfully. She considered that it was her duty and that of all liberal, enlightened and tolerant white people to engage with black people and support them in the struggle against discrimination and bigotry. Helping Franklin and his unfortunate brother settle into the neighbourhood was one small step in assisting integration of the races.
Cassie then realised, for the first time that she seldom heard a racist word or comment from a white girl or woman; it was always white men or boys who appeared to hate black people.
Cassie had no time to consider this matter as Mungo sat on his bed and pulled her down to sit beside him. Mungo grinned at her but then looked at the floor timidly, seemingly nervous and uncertain as to what they should do. Cassie realised that he would not often have the company of a girl so decided to make the effort to gain his confidence.
‘Your bedroom is lovely’ Cassie told Mungo, looking at the pictures of boats and animals on his wall, and seeing that this produced a beaming smile, noticing the large black man had such lovely big dark brown eyes she continued, ‘and you have a lovely smile too! What would you like to do?’ She reprimanded herself for worrying about Mungo, he was bashful and completely harmless.
‘Game please’, said Mungo.
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