adder A type of snake, usually with a zigzag black band running along its back; the Texan's neck swelling like a "spreading adder" refers to the puff adder, a large and dangerous snake that "puffs" its body below the head when threatened.
aldermen Members of a local legislative body; city council members.
alousies Blinds or shutters that have adjustable horizontal slats; today, similar fixtures are known as mini-blinds.
bier A stand on which a coffin is placed before burial.
booty Stolen goods.
buckboard An open buggy.
cabal A secret group.
cattymounts Wild felines: mountain lions; short for "catamountains." Here, the spotted horses are called "cattymounts" because of their wild behavior.
coffin money At the time that "That Evening Sun" takes place, few blacks could afford insurance, except for what was called "burial insurance." As explained in the story, an agent collected 15 cents every week — $7.80 per year — from a person to be used for burial expenses. Because of the high cost of coffins, people could never pay their total bill in full, and therefore they might pay 15 cents per week for their entire lives. This practice was another way the white Southern culture kept blacks in desperate circumstances.
cravat A scarf, or band of fabric loosely knotted around the neck like a tie.
crayons Sticks of colored chalk, or pastels, were called crayons in this era.
cupolas Small, domed structures on roofs.
curried A currycomb is a comb with metal teeth used to groom horses; a horse that has been combed is considered "curried."
