he wore suits as brown and hairy as

Hannah didn’t even glance back at them: she went straight to the door. It was Mr. Starr. Usually he wore suits as brown and hairy as his mustache, but this morning he wore a dark blue suit and a black tie. In his hand he carried a black derby. “Walter,” Aunt Hannah said, “you know what all you’re doing means to us.” “Aw now,” Walter said. “Come in,” she said. “Mary’ll be right down. Children, you know Mr. Starr ...” “Course we do,” Mr. Starr said, smiling at them with his warm brown eyes through the lenses. He put the hand holding the derby on Rufus’ shoulder and the other on Catherine’s cheek. “You come on in and sit with me, will you, till your mother’s ready.” He walked straight for their father’s chair, veered unhappily, and sat on a chair next the wall. “Well, so you’re coming down and visit us,” he said. “Huh?” “Coming down,” Walter said. “Or ma—did your mama say anything about maybe you were coming down sometime, and pay us a visit?” “Huh-uh.” “Oh, well, there’s lots of time. Did you ever hear a gramophone?” “She can’t hardly hear when she does.” “Eigh?” He seemed extremely puzzled. “Uncle Andrew says she’s crazy even to try.” “Who?” “Why, Granma.” Mr. Starr had never before seemed stupid, but now Rufus began to think his memory was as bad as those of the boys at the corner. Could he be teasing? It would be very queer if Mr. Starr would tease. He decided he should trust him. “You know, when she phones, like you said.” Mr. Starr thought that over for a moment and then he seemed to understand. But almost the moment he understood he started to laugh, so he must have been teasing, after all. Rufus was deeply hurt. Then almost immediately he stopped laughing as if he were shocked at himself.