第6章

OfTom’sNewMaster，andVariousOtherMatters

Sincethethreadofourhumblehero’slifehasnowbecomeinterwovenwiththatofhigherones，itisnecessarytogivesomebriefintroductiontothem。

AugustineSt。ClarewasthesonofawealthyplanterofLouisiana。ThefamilyhaditsorigininCanada。Oftwobrothers，verysimilarintemperamentandcharacter，onehadsettledonaflourishingfarminVermont，andtheotherbecameanopulentplanterinLouisiana。ThemotherofAugustinewasaHuguenotFrenchlady，whosefamilyhademigratedtoLouisianaduringthedaysofitsearlysettlement。Augustineandanotherbrotherweretheonlychildrenoftheirparents。Havinginheritedfromhismotheranexceedingdelicacyofconstitution，hewas，attheinstanceofphysicians，duringmanyyearsofhisboyhood，senttothecareofhisuncleinVermont，inorderthathisconstitutionmight，bestrengthenedbythecoldofamorebracingclimate。

Inchildhood，hewasremarkableforanextremeandmarkedsensitivenessofcharacter，moreakintothesoftnessofwomanthantheordinaryhardnessofhisownsex。Time，however，overgrewthissoftnesswiththeroughbarkofmanhood，andbutfewknewhowlivingandfreshitstilllayatthecore。Histalentswereoftheveryfirstorder，althoughhismindshowedapreferencealwaysfortheidealandtheaesthetic，andtherewasabouthimthatrepugnancetotheactualbusinessoflifewhichisthecommonresultofthisbalanceofthefaculties。Soonafterthecompletionofhiscollegecourse，hiswholenaturewaskindledintooneintenseandpassionateeffervescenceofromanticpassion。Hishourcame，—thehourthatcomesonlyonce；hisstarroseinthehorizon，—thatstarthatrisessoofteninvain，toberememberedonlyasathingofdreams；anditroseforhiminvain。Todropthefigure，—hesawandwontheloveofahigh-mindedandbeautifulwoman，inoneofthenorthernstates，andtheywereaffianced。Hereturnedsouthtomakearrangementsfortheirmarriage，when，mostunexpectedly，hisletterswerereturnedtohimbymail，withashortnotefromherguardian，statingtohimthaterethisreachedhimtheladywouldbethewifeofanother。Stungtomadness，hevainlyhoped，asmanyanotherhasdone，toflingthewholethingfromhisheartbyonedesperateeffort。Tooproudtosupplicateorseekexplanation，hethrewhimselfatonceintoawhirloffashionablesociety，andinafortnightfromthetimeofthefatalletterwastheacceptedloverofthereigningbelleoftheseason；andassoonasarrangementscouldbemade，hebecamethehusbandofafinefigure，apairofbrightdarkeyes，andahundredthousanddollars；and，ofcourse，everybodythoughthimahappyfellow。

Themarriedcouplewereenjoyingtheirhoneymoon，andentertainingabrilliantcircleoffriendsintheirsplendidvilla，nearLakePontchartrain，when，oneday，aletterwasbroughttohiminthatwell-rememberedwriting。Itwashandedtohimwhilehewasinfulltideofgayandsuccessfulconversation，inawholeroom-fullofcompany。Heturneddeadlypalewhenhesawthewriting，butstillpreservedhiscomposure，andfinishedtheplayfulwarfareofbadinagewhichhewasatthemomentcarryingonwithaladyopposite；and，ashorttimeafter，wasmissedfromthecircle。Inhisroom，alone，heopenedandreadtheletter，nowworsethanidleanduselesstoberead。Itwasfromher，givingalongaccountofapersecutiontowhichshehadbeenexposedbyherguardian’sfamily，toleadhertouniteherselfwiththeirson:andsherelatedhow，foralongtime，hislettershadceasedtoarrive；howshehadwrittentimeandagain，tillshebecamewearyanddoubtful；howherhealthhadfailedunderheranxieties，andhow，atlast，shehaddiscoveredthewholefraudwhichhadbeenpractisedonthemboth。Theletterendedwithexpressionsofhopeandthankfulness，andprofessionsofundyingaffection，whichweremorebitterthandeathtotheunhappyyoungman。Hewrotetoherimmediately:

“Ihavereceivedyours，—buttoolate。IbelievedallIheard。Iwasdesperate。Iammarried，andallisover。Onlyforget，—itisallthatremainsforeitherofus。”

AndthusendedthewholeromanceandidealoflifeforAugustineSt。Clare。Buttherealremained，—thereal，liketheflat，bare，oozytide-mud，whenthebluesparklingwave，withallitscompanyofglidingboatsandwhite-wingedships，itsmusicofoarsandchimingwaters，hasgonedown，andthereitlies，flat，slimy，bare，—exceedinglyreal。

Ofcourse，inanovel，people’sheartsbreak，andtheydie，andthatistheendofit；andinastorythisisveryconvenient。Butinreallifewedonotdiewhenallthatmakeslifebrightdiestous。Thereisamostbusyandimportantroundofeating，drinking，dressing，walking，visiting，buying，selling，talking，reading，andallthatmakesupwhatiscommonlycalledliving，yettobegonethrough；andthisyetremainedtoAugustine。Hadhiswifebeenawholewoman，shemightyethavedonesomething—aswomancan—tomendthebrokenthreadsoflife，andweaveagainintoatissueofbrightness。ButMarieSt。Clarecouldnotevenseethattheyhadbeenbroken。Asbeforestated，sheconsistedofafinefigure，apairofsplendideyes，andahundredthousanddollars；andnoneoftheseitemswerepreciselytheonestoministertoaminddiseased。

WhenAugustine，paleasdeath，wasfoundlyingonthesofa，andpleadedsuddensick-headacheasthecauseofhisdistress，sherecommendedtohimtosmellofhartshorn；andwhenthepalenessandheadachecameonweekafterweek，sheonlysaidthatsheneverthoughtMr。St。Clarewassickly；butitseemshewasveryliabletosick-headaches，andthatitwasaveryunfortunatethingforher，becausehedidn’tenjoygoingintocompanywithher，anditseemedoddtogosomuchalone，whentheywerejustmarried。Augustinewasgladinhisheartthathehadmarriedsoundiscerningawoman；butastheglossesandcivilitiesofthehoneymoonworeaway，hediscoveredthatabeautifulyoungwoman，whohaslivedallherlifetobecaressedandwaitedon，mightprovequiteahardmistressindomesticlife。Marieneverhadpossessedmuchcapabilityofaffection，ormuchsensibility，andthelittlethatshehad，hadbeenmergedintoamostintenseandunconsciousselfishness；aselfishnessthemorehopeless，fromitsquietobtuseness，itsutterignoranceofanyclaimsbutherown。Fromherinfancy，shehadbeensurroundedwithservants，wholivedonlytostudyhercaprices；theideathattheyhadeitherfeelingsorrightshadneverdawneduponher，evenindistantperspective。Herfather，whoseonlychildshehadbeen，hadneverdeniedheranythingthatlaywithinthecompassofhumanpossibility；andwhensheenteredlife，beautiful，accomplished，andanheiress，shehad，ofcourse，alltheeligiblesandnon-eligiblesoftheothersexsighingatherfeet，andshehadnodoubtthatAugustinewasamostfortunatemaninhavingobtainedher。Itisagreatmistaketosupposethatawomanwithnoheartwillbeaneasycreditorintheexchangeofaffection。Thereisnotonearthamoremercilessexactoroflovefromothersthanathoroughlyselfishwoman；andthemoreunlovelyshegrows，themorejealouslyandscrupulouslysheexactslove，totheuttermostfarthing。When，therefore，St。Clarebegantodropoffthosegallantriesandsmallattentionswhichflowedatfirstthroughthehabitudeofcourtship，hefoundhissultananowayreadytoresignherslave；therewereabundanceoftears，poutings，andsmalltempests，therewerediscontents，pinings，upbraidings。St。Clarewasgood-naturedandself-indulgent，andsoughttobuyoffwithpresentsandflatteries；andwhenMariebecamemothertoabeautifuldaughter，hereallyfeltawakened，foratime，tosomethingliketenderness。

St。Clare’smotherhadbeenawomanofuncommonelevationandpurityofcharacter，andhegavetohischildhismother’sname，fondlyfancyingthatshewouldproveareproductionofherimage。Thethinghadbeenremarkedwithpetulantjealousybyhiswife，andsheregardedherhusband’sabsorbingdevotiontothechildwithsuspicionanddislike；allthatwasgiventoherseemedsomuchtakenfromherself。Fromthetimeofthebirthofthischild，herhealthgraduallysunk。Alifeofconstantinaction，bodilyandmental，—thefrictionofceaselessennuianddiscontent，unitedtotheordinaryweaknesswhichattendedtheperiodofmaternity，—incourseofafewyearschangedthebloomingyoungbelleintoayellowfaded，sicklywoman，whosetimewasdividedamongavarietyoffancifuldiseases，andwhoconsideredherself，ineverysense，themostill-usedandsufferingpersoninexistence。

Therewasnoendofhervariouscomplaints；butherprincipalforteappearedtolieinsick-headache，whichsometimeswouldconfinehertoherroomthreedaysoutofsix。As，ofcourse，allfamilyarrangementsfellintothehandsofservants，St。Clarefoundhismenageanythingbutcomfortable。Hisonlydaughterwasexceedinglydelicate，andhefearedthat，withnoonetolookafterherandattendtoher，herhealthandlifemightyetfallasacrificetohermother’sinefficiency。HehadtakenherwithhimonatourtoVermont，andhadpersuadedhiscousin，MissOpheliaSt。Clare，toreturnwithhimtohissouthernresidence；andtheyarenowreturningonthisboat，wherewehaveintroducedthemtoourreaders。

Andnow，whilethedistantdomesandspiresofNewOrleansrisetoourview，thereisyettimeforanintroductiontoMissOphelia。

WhoeverhastravelledintheNewEnglandStateswillremember，insomecoolvillage，thelargefarmhouse，withitsclean-sweptgrassyyard，shadedbythedenseandmassivefoliageofthesugarmaple；andremembertheairoforderandstillness，ofperpetuityandunchangingrepose，thatseemedtobreatheoverthewholeplace。Nothinglost，oroutoforder；notapicketlooseinthefence，notaparticleoflitterintheturfyyard，withitsclumpsoflilacbushesgrowingupunderthewindows。Within，hewillrememberwide，cleanrooms，wherenothingeverseemstobedoingorgoingtobedone，whereeverythingisonceandforeverrigidlyinplace，andwhereallhouseholdarrangementsmovewiththepunctualexactnessoftheoldclockinthecorner。Inthefamily“keeping-room，”asitistermed，hewillrememberthestaid，respectableoldbook-case，withitsglassdoors，whereRollin’sHistory，1Milton’sParadiseLost，Bunyan’sPilgrim’sProgress，andScott’sFamilyBible，2standsidebysideindecorousorder，withmultitudesofotherbooks，equallysolemnandrespectable。Therearenoservantsinthehouse，buttheladyinthesnowycap，withthespectacles，whositssewingeveryafternoonamongherdaughters，asifnothingeverhadbeendone，orweretobedone，—sheandhergirls，insomelong-forgottenforepartoftheday，“didupthework，”andfortherestofthetime，probably，atallhourswhenyouwouldseethem，itis“doneup。”Theoldkitchenfloorneverseemsstainedorspotted；thetables，thechairs，andthevariouscookingutensils，neverseemderangedordisordered；thoughthreeandsometimesfourmealsadayaregotthere，thoughthefamilywashingandironingisthereperformed，andthoughpoundsofbutterandcheeseareinsomesilentandmysteriousmannertherebroughtintoexistence。

Onsuchafarm，insuchahouseandfamily，MissOpheliahadspentaquietexistenceofsomeforty-fiveyears，whenhercousininvitedhertovisithissouthernmansion。Theeldestofalargefamily，shewasstillconsideredbyherfatherandmotherasoneof“thechildren，”andtheproposalthatsheshouldgotoOrleanswasamostmomentousonetothefamilycircle。Theoldgray-headedfathertookdownMorse’sAtlas3outofthebook-case，andlookedouttheexactlatitudeandlongitude；andreadFlint’sTravelsintheSouthandWest，4tomakeuphisownmindastothenatureofthecountry。

Thegoodmotherinquired，anxiously，“ifOrleanswasn’tanawfulwickedplace，”saying，“thatitseemedtohermostequaltogoingtotheSandwichIslands，oranywhereamongtheheathen。”

Itwasknownattheminister’sandatthedoctor’s，andatMissPeabody’smillinershop，thatOpheliaSt。Clarewas“talkingabout”goingawaydowntoOrleanswithhercousin；andofcoursethewholevillagecoulddonolessthanhelpthisveryimportantprocessoftakingaboutthematter。Theminister，whoinclinedstronglytoabolitionistviews，wasquitedoubtfulwhethersuchastepmightnottendsomewhattoencouragethesouthernersinholdingontotheirslaves；whilethedoctor，whowasastanchcolonizationist，inclinedtotheopinionthatMissOpheliaoughttogo，toshowtheOrleanspeoplethatwedon’tthinkhardlyofthem，afterall。Hewasofopinion，infact，thatsouthernpeopleneededencouraging。Whenhowever，thefactthatshehadresolvedtogowasfullybeforethepublicmind，shewassolemnlyinvitedouttoteabyallherfriendsandneighborsforthespaceofafortnight，andherprospectsandplansdulycanvassedandinquiredinto。MissMoseley，whocameintothehousetohelptodothedress-making，acquireddailyaccessionsofimportancefromthedevelopmentswithregardtoMissOphelia’swardrobewhichshehadbeenenabledtomake。ItwascrediblyascertainedthatSquireSinclare，ashisnamewascommonlycontractedintheneighborhood，hadcountedoutfiftydollars，andgiventhemtoMissOphelia，andtoldhertobuyanyclothesshethoughtbest；andthattwonewsilkdresses，andabonnet，hadbeensentforfromBoston。Astotheproprietyofthisextraordinaryoutlay，thepublicmindwasdivided，—someaffirmingthatitwaswellenough，allthingsconsidered，foronceinone’slife，andothersstoutlyaffirmingthatthemoneyhadbetterhavebeensenttothemissionaries；butallpartiesagreedthattherehadbeennosuchparasolseeninthosepartsashadbeensentonfromNewYork，andthatshehadonesilkdressthatmightfairlybetrustedtostandalone，whatevermightbesaidofitsmistress。Therewerecrediblerumors，also，ofahemstitchedpocket-handkerchief；andreportevenwentsofarastostatethatMissOpheliahadonepocket-handkerchiefwithlaceallaroundit，—itwasevenaddedthatitwasworkedinthecorners；butthislatterpointwasneversatisfactorilyascertained，andremains，infact，unsettledtothisday。

MissOphelia，asyounowbeholdher，standsbeforeyou，inaveryshiningbrownlinentravelling-dress，tall，square-formed，andangular。Herfacewasthin，andrathersharpinitsoutlines；thelipscompressed，likethoseofapersonwhoisinthehabitofmakingupherminddefinitelyonallsubjects；whilethekeen，darkeyeshadapeculiarlysearching，advisedmovement，andtravelledovereverything，asiftheywerelookingforsomethingtotakecareof。

Allhermovementsweresharp，decided，andenergetic；and，thoughshewasnevermuchofatalker，herwordswereremarkablydirect，andtothepurpose，whenshedidspeak。

Inherhabits，shewasalivingimpersonationoforder，method，andexactness。Inpunctuality，shewasasinevitableasaclock，andasinexorableasarailroadengine；andsheheldinmostdecidedcontemptandabominationanythingofacontrarycharacter。

Thegreatsinofsins，inhereyes，—thesumofallevils，—wasexpressedbyoneverycommonandimportantwordinhervocabulary—“shiftlessness。”Herfinaleandultimatumofcontemptconsistedinaveryemphaticpronunciationoftheword“shiftless；”andbythisshecharacterizedallmodesofprocedurewhichhadnotadirectandinevitablerelationtoaccomplishmentofsomepurposethendefinitelyhadinmind。Peoplewhodidnothing，orwhodidnotknowexactlywhattheyweregoingtodo，orwhodidnottakethemostdirectwaytoaccomplishwhattheysettheirhandsto，wereobjectsofherentirecontempt，—acontemptshownlessfrequentlybyanythingshesaid，thanbyakindofstonygrimness，asifshescornedtosayanythingaboutthematter。

Astomentalcultivation，—shehadaclear，strong，activemind，waswellandthoroughlyreadinhistoryandtheolderEnglishclassics，andthoughtwithgreatstrengthwithincertainnarrowlimits。Hertheologicaltenetswereallmadeup，labelledinmostpositiveanddistinctforms，andputby，likethebundlesinherpatchtrunk；therewerejustsomanyofthem，andtherewerenevertobeanymore。So，also，wereherideaswithregardtomostmattersofpracticallife，—suchashousekeepinginallitsbranches，andthevariouspoliticalrelationsofhernativevillage。And，underlyingall，deeperthananythingelse，higherandbroader，laythestrongestprincipleofherbeing—conscientiousness。Nowhereisconsciencesodominantandall-absorbingaswithNewEnglandwomen。Itisthegraniteformation，whichliesdeepest，andrisesout，eventothetopsofthehighestmountains。

MissOpheliawastheabsolutebond-slaveofthe“ought。”Oncemakehercertainthatthe“pathofduty，”asshecommonlyphrasedit，layinanygivendirection，andfireandwatercouldnotkeepherfromit。Shewouldwalkstraightdownintoawell，oruptoaloadedcannon’smouth，ifshewereonlyquitesurethattherethepathlay。Herstandardofrightwassohigh，soall-embracing，sominute，andmakingsofewconcessionstohumanfrailty，that，thoughshestrovewithheroicardortoreachit，sheneveractuallydidso，andofcoursewasburdenedwithaconstantandoftenharassingsenseofdeficiency；—thisgaveasevereandsomewhatgloomycasttoherreligiouscharacter。

But，howintheworldcanMissOpheliagetalongwithAugustineSt。Clare，—gay，easy，unpunctual，unpractical，sceptical，—inshort，—walkingwithimpudentandnonchalantfreedomovereveryoneofhermostcherishedhabitsandopinions？

Totellthetruth，then，MissOphelialovedhim。Whenaboy，ithadbeenherstoteachhimhiscatechism，mendhisclothes，combhishair，andbringhimupgenerallyinthewayheshouldgo；andherhearthavingawarmsidetoit，Augustinehad，asheusuallydidwithmostpeople，monopolizedalargeshareofitforhimself，andthereforeitwasthathesucceededveryeasilyinpersuadingherthatthe“pathofduty”layinthedirectionofNewOrleans，andthatshemustgowithhimtotakecareofEva，andkeepeverythingfromgoingtowreckandruinduringthefrequentillnessesofhiswife。Theideaofahousewithoutanybodytotakecareofitwenttoherheart；thenshelovedthelovelylittlegirl，asfewcouldhelpdoing；andthoughsheregardedAugustineasverymuchofaheathen，yetshelovedhim，laughedathisjokes，andforborewithhisfailings，toanextentwhichthosewhoknewhimthoughtperfectlyincredible。ButwhatmoreorotheristobeknownofMissOpheliaourreadermustdiscoverbyapersonalacquaintance。

Theresheis，sittingnowinherstate-room，surroundedbyamixedmultitudeoflittleandbigcarpet-bags，boxes，baskets，eachcontainingsomeseparateresponsibilitywhichsheistying，bindingup，packing，orfastening，withafaceofgreatearnestness。

“Now，Eva，haveyoukeptcountofyourthings？Ofcourseyouhaven’t，—childrenneverdo:there’sthespottedcarpet-bagandthelittleblueband-boxwithyourbestbonnet，—that’stwo；thentheIndiarubbersatchelisthree；andmytapeandneedleboxisfour；andmyband-box，five；andmycollar-box；andthatlittlehairtrunk，seven。Whathaveyoudonewithyoursunshade？Giveittome，andletmeputapaperroundit，andtieittomyumbrellawithmyshade；—there，now。”

“Why，aunty，weareonlygoinguphome；—whatistheuse？”

“Tokeepitnice，child；peoplemusttakecareoftheirthings，iftheyevermeantohaveanything；andnow，Eva，isyourthimbleputup？”

“Really，aunty，Idon’tknow。”

“Well，nevermind；I’lllookyourboxover，—thimble，wax，twospools，scissors，knife，tape-needle；allright，—putitinhere。Whatdidyoueverdo，child，whenyouwerecomingonwithonlyyourpapa。Ishouldhavethoughtyou’dalosteverythingyouhad。”“Well，aunty，Ididloseagreatmany；andthen，whenwestoppedanywhere，papawouldbuysomemoreofwhateveritwas。”

“Mercyonus，child，—whataway！”

“Itwasaveryeasyway，aunty，”saidEva。

“It’sadreadfulshiftlessone，”saidaunty。

“Why，aunty，what’llyoudonow？”saidEva；“thattrunkistoofulltobeshutdown。”

“Itmustshutdown，”saidaunty，withtheairofageneral，asshesqueezedthethingsin，andsprunguponthelid；—stillalittlegapremainedaboutthemouthofthetrunk。

“Getuphere，Eva！”saidMissOphelia，courageously；“whathasbeendonecanbedoneagain。Thistrunkhasgottobeshutandlocked—therearenotwowaysaboutit。”

Andthetrunk，intimidated，doubtless，bythisresolutestatement，gavein。Thehaspsnappedsharplyinitshole，andMissOpheliaturnedthekey，andpocketeditintriumph。

“Nowwe’reready。Where’syourpapa？Ithinkittimethisbaggagewassetout。Dolookout，Eva，andseeifyouseeyourpapa。”

“O，yes，he’sdowntheotherendofthegentlemen’scabin，eatinganorange。”

“Hecan’tknowhownearwearecoming，”saidaunty；“hadn’tyoubetterrunandspeaktohim？”

“Papaneverisinahurryaboutanything，”saidEva，“andwehaven’tcometothelanding。Dostepontheguards，aunty。Look！there’sourhouse，upthatstreet！”

Theboatnowbegan，withheavygroans，likesomevast，tiredmonster，topreparetopushupamongthemultipliedsteamersatthelevee。Evajoyouslypointedoutthevariousspires，domes，andway-marks，bywhichsherecognizedhernativecity。

“Yes，yes，dear；veryfine，”saidMissOphelia。“Butmercyonus！theboathasstopped！whereisyourfather？”

Andnowensuedtheusualturmoiloflanding—waitersrunningtwentywaysatonce—mentuggingtrunks，carpet-bags，boxes—womenanxiouslycallingtotheirchildren，andeverybodycrowdinginadensemasstotheplanktowardsthelanding。

MissOpheliaseatedherselfresolutelyonthelatelyvanquishedtrunk，andmarshallingallhergoodsandchattelsinfinemilitaryorder，seemedresolvedtodefendthemtothelast。

“ShallItakeyourtrunk，ma’am？”“ShallItakeyourbaggage？”“Letme’tendtoyourbaggage，Missis？”“Shan’tIcarryouttheseyer，Missis？”raineddownuponherunheeded。Shesatwithgrimdetermination，uprightasadarning-needlestuckinaboard，holdingonherbundleofumbrellaandparasols，andreplyingwithadeterminationthatwasenoughtostrikedismayevenintoahackman，wonderingtoEva，ineachinterval，“whatuponearthherpapacouldbethinkingof；hecouldn’thavefallenover，now，—butsomethingmusthavehappened；”—andjustasshehadbeguntoworkherselfintoarealdistress，hecameup，withhisusuallycarelessmotion，andgivingEvaaquarteroftheorangehewaseating，said，

“Well，CousinVermont，Isupposeyouareallready。”

“I’vebeenready，waiting，nearlyanhour，”saidMissOphelia；“Ibegantobereallyconcernedaboutyou。

“That’sacleverfellow，now，”saidhe。“Well，thecarriageiswaiting，andthecrowdarenowoff，sothatonecanwalkoutinadecentandChristianmanner，andnotbepushedandshoved。Here，”headdedtoadriverwhostoodbehindhim，“takethesethings。”

“I’llgoandseetohisputtingthemin，”saidMissOphelia。

“O，pshaw，cousin，what’stheuse？”saidSt。Clare。

“Well，atanyrate，I’llcarrythis，andthis，andthis，”saidMissOphelia，singlingoutthreeboxesandasmallcarpet-bag。

“MydearMissVermont，positivelyyoumustn’tcometheGreenMountainsoverusthatway。Youmustadoptatleastapieceofasouthernprinciple，andnotwalkoutunderallthatload。They’lltakeyouforawaiting-maid；givethemtothisfellow；he’llputthemdownasiftheywereeggs，now。”

MissOphelialookeddespairinglyashercousintookallhertreasuresfromher，andrejoicedtofindherselfoncemoreinthecarriagewiththem，inastateofpreservation。

“Where’sTom？”saidEva。

“O，he’sontheoutside，Pussy。I’mgoingtotakeTomuptomotherforapeace-offering，tomakeupforthatdrunkenfellowthatupsetthecarriage。”

“O，Tomwillmakeasplendiddriver，Iknow，”saidEva；“he’llnevergetdrunk。”

Thecarriagestoppedinfrontofanancientmansion，builtinthatoddmixtureofSpanishandFrenchstyle，ofwhichtherearespecimensinsomepartsofNewOrleans。ItwasbuiltintheMoorishfashion，—asquarebuildingenclosingacourt-yard，intowhichthecarriagedrovethroughanarchedgateway。Thecourt，intheinside，hadevidentlybeenarrangedtogratifyapicturesqueandvoluptuousideality。Widegalleriesranallaroundthefoursides，whoseMoorisharches，slenderpillars，andarabesqueornaments，carriedthemindback，asinadream，tothereignoforientalromanceinSpain。Inthemiddleofthecourt，afountainthrewhighitssilverywater，fallinginanever-ceasingsprayintoamarblebasin，fringedwithadeepborderoffragrantviolets。Thewaterinthefountain，pellucidascrystal，wasalivewithmyriadsofgoldandsilverfishes，twinklinganddartingthroughitlikesomanylivingjewels。Aroundthefountainranawalk，pavedwithamosaicofpebbles，laidinvariousfancifulpatterns；andthis，again，wassurroundedbyturf，smoothasgreenvelvet，whileacarriage-driveenclosedthewhole。Twolargeorange-trees，nowfragrantwithblossoms，threwadeliciousshade；and，rangedinacircleroundupontheturf，weremarblevasesofarabesquesculpture，containingthechoicestfloweringplantsofthetropics。Hugepomegranatetrees，withtheirglossyleavesandflame-coloredflowers，dark-leavedArabianjessamines，withtheirsilverystars，geraniums，luxuriantrosesbendingbeneaththeirheavyabundanceofflowers，goldenjessamines，lemon-scentedverbenum，allunitedtheirbloomandfragrance，whilehereandthereamysticoldaloe，withitsstrange，massiveleaves，satlookinglikesomeoldenchanter，sittinginweirdgrandeuramongthemoreperishablebloomandfragrancearoundit。

ThegalleriesthatsurroundedthecourtwerefestoonedwithacurtainofsomekindofMoorishstuff，andcouldbedrawndownatpleasure，toexcludethebeamsofthesun。Onthewhole，theappearanceoftheplacewasluxuriousandromantic。

Asthecarriagedrovein，Evaseemedlikeabirdreadytoburstfromacage，withthewildeagernessofherdelight。

“O，isn’titbeautiful，lovely！myowndear，darlinghome！”shesaidtoMissOphelia。“Isn’titbeautiful？”

“’Tisaprettyplace，”saidMissOphelia，asshealighted；“thoughitlooksratheroldandheathenishtome。”

Tomgotdownfromthecarriage，andlookedaboutwithanairofcalm，stillenjoyment。Thenegro，itmustberemembered，isanexoticofthemostgorgeousandsuperbcountriesoftheworld，andhehas，deepinhisheart，apassionforallthatissplendid，rich，andfanciful；apassionwhich，rudelyindulgedbyanuntrainedtaste，drawsonthemtheridiculeofthecolderandmorecorrectwhiterace。

St。Clare，whowasinheartapoeticalvoluptuary，smiledasMissOpheliamadeherremarkonhispremises，and，turningtoTom，whowasstandinglookinground，hisbeamingblackfaceperfectlyradiantwithadmiration，hesaid，

“Tom，myboy，thisseemstosuityou。”

“Yes，Mas’r，itlooksabouttherightthing，”saidTom。

Allthispassedinamoment，whiletrunkswerebeinghustledoff，hackmanpaid，andwhileacrowd，ofallagesandsizes，—men，women，andchildren，—camerunningthroughthegalleries，bothaboveandbelowtoseeMas’rcomein。Foremostamongthemwasahighly-dressedyoungmulattoman，evidentlyaverydistinguepersonage，attiredintheultraextremeofthemode，andgracefullywavingascentedcambrichandkerchiefinhishand。

Thispersonagehadbeenexertinghimself，withgreatalacrity，indrivingalltheflockofdomesticstotheotherendoftheverandah。

“Back！allofyou。Iamashamedofyou，”hesaid，inatoneofauthority。“WouldyouintrudeonMaster’sdomesticrelations，inthefirsthourofhisreturn？”

Alllookedabashedatthiselegantspeech，deliveredwithquiteanair，andstoodhuddledtogetheratarespectfuldistance，excepttwostoutporters，whocameupandbeganconveyingawaythebaggage。

OwingtoMr。Adolph’ssystematicarrangements，whenSt。Clareturnedroundfrompayingthehackman，therewasnobodyinviewbutMr。Adolphhimself，conspicuousinsatinvest，goldguard-chain，andwhitepants，andbowingwithinexpressiblegraceandsuavity。

“Ah，Adolph，isityou？”saidhismaster，offeringhishandtohim；“howareyou，boy？”whileAdolphpouredforth，withgreatfluency，anextemporaryspeech，whichhehadbeenpreparing，withgreatcare，forafortnightbefore。

“Well，well，”saidSt。Clare，passingon，withhisusualairofnegligentdrollery，“that’sverywellgotup，Adolph。Seethatthebaggageiswellbestowed。I’llcometothepeopleinaminute；”and，sosaying，heledMissOpheliatoalargeparlorthatopenedontheverandah。

Whilethishadbeenpassing，Evahadflownlikeabird，throughtheporchandparlor，toalittleboudoiropeninglikewiseontheverandah。

Atall，dark-eyed，sallowwoman，halfrosefromacouchonwhichshewasreclining。

“Mamma！”saidEva，inasortofarapture，throwingherselfonherneck，andembracingheroverandoveragain。

“That’lldo，—takecare，child，—don’t，youmakemyheadache，”saidthemother，aftershehadlanguidlykissedher。

St。Clarecamein，embracedhiswifeintrue，orthodox，husbandlyfashion，andthenpresentedtoherhiscousin。Marieliftedherlargeeyesonhercousinwithanairofsomecuriosity，andreceivedherwithlanguidpoliteness。Acrowdofservantsnowpressedtotheentrydoor，andamongthemamiddle-agedmulattowoman，ofveryrespectableappearance，stoodforemost，inatremorofexpectationandjoy，atthedoor。

“O，there’sMammy！”saidEva，assheflewacrosstheroom；and，throwingherselfintoherarms，shekissedherrepeatedly。

Thiswomandidnottellherthatshemadeherheadache，but，onthecontrary，shehuggedher，andlaughed，andcried，tillhersanitywasathingtobedoubtedof；andwhenreleasedfromher，Evaflewfromonetoanother，shakinghandsandkissing，inawaythatMissOpheliaafterwardsdeclaredfairlyturnedherstomach。

“Well！”saidMissOphelia，“yousouthernchildrencandosomethingthatIcouldn’t。”

“What，now，pray？”saidSt。Clare。

“Well，Iwanttobekindtoeverybody，andIwouldn’thaveanythinghurt；butastokissing—”

“Niggers，”saidSt。Clare，“thatyou’renotupto，—hey？”

“Yes，that’sit。Howcanshe？”

St。Clarelaughed，ashewentintothepassage。“Halloa，here，what’stopayouthere？Here，youall—Mammy，Jimmy，Polly，Sukey—gladtoseeMas’r？”hesaid，ashewentshakinghandsfromonetoanother。“Lookoutforthebabies！”headded，ashestumbledoverasootylittleurchin，whowascrawlinguponallfours。“IfIstepuponanybody，let’emmentionit。”

TherewasanabundanceoflaughingandblessingMas’r，asSt。Claredistributedsmallpiecesofchangeamongthem。

“Come，now，takeyourselvesoff，likegoodboysandgirls，”hesaid；andthewholeassemblage，darkandlight，disappearedthroughadoorintoalargeverandah，followedbyEva，whocarriedalargesatchel，whichshehadbeenfillingwithapples，nuts，candy，ribbons，laces，andtoysofeverydescription，duringherwholehomewardjourney。

AsSt。ClareturnedtogobackhiseyefelluponTom，whowasstandinguneasily，shiftingfromonefoottotheother，whileAdolphstoodnegligentlyleaningagainstthebanisters，examiningTomthroughanopera-glass，withanairthatwouldhavedonecredittoanydandyliving。

“Puh！youpuppy，”saidhismaster，strikingdowntheoperaglass；“isthatthewayyoutreatyourcompany？Seemstome，Dolph，”headded，layinghisfingerontheelegantfiguredsatinvestthatAdolphwassporting，“seemstomethat’smyvest。”

“O！Master，thisvestallstainedwithwine；ofcourse，agentlemaninMaster’sstandingneverwearsavestlikethis。IunderstoodIwastotakeit。Itdoesforapoornigger-fellow，likeme。”

AndAdolphtossedhishead，andpassedhisfingersthroughhisscentedhair，withagrace。

“So，that’sit，isit？”saidSt。Clare，carelessly。“Well，here，I’mgoingtoshowthisTomtohismistress，andthenyoutakehimtothekitchen；andmindyoudon’tputonanyofyourairstohim。He’sworthtwosuchpuppiesasyou。”

“Masteralwayswillhavehisjoke，”saidAdolph，laughing。“I’mdelightedtoseeMasterinsuchspirits。”

“Here，Tom，”saidSt。Clare，beckoning。

Tomenteredtheroom。Helookedwistfullyonthevelvetcarpets，andthebeforeunimaginedsplendorsofmirrors，pictures，statues，andcurtains，and，liketheQueenofShebabeforeSolomon，therewasnomorespiritinhim。Helookedafraideventosethisfeetdown。

“Seehere，Marie，”saidSt。Claretohiswife，“I’veboughtyouacoachman，atlast，toorder。Itellyou，he’saregularhearseforblacknessandsobriety，andwilldriveyoulikeafuneral，ifyouwant。Openyoureyes，now，andlookathim。Now，don’tsayIneverthinkaboutyouwhenI’mgone。”

Marieopenedhereyes，andfixedthemonTom，withoutrising。

“Iknowhe’llgetdrunk，”shesaid。

“No，he’swarrantedapiousandsoberarticle。”

“Well，Ihopehemayturnoutwell，”saidthelady；“it’smorethanIexpect，though。”

“Dolph，”saidSt。Clare，“showTomdownstairs；and，mindyourself，”headded；“rememberwhatItoldyou。”

Adolphtrippedgracefullyforward，andTom，withlumberingtread，wentafter。

“He’saperfectbehemoth！”saidMarie。

“Come，now，Marie，”saidSt。Clare，seatinghimselfonastoolbesidehersofa，“begracious，andsaysomethingprettytoafellow。”

“You’vebeengoneafortnightbeyondthetime，”saidthelady，pouting。

“Well，youknowIwroteyouthereason。”

“Suchashort，coldletter！”saidthelady。

“Dearme！themailwasjustgoing，andithadtobethatornothing。”

“That’sjusttheway，always，”saidthelady；“alwayssomethingtomakeyourjourneyslong，andlettersshort。”

“Seehere，now，”headded，drawinganelegantvelvetcaseoutofhispocket，andopeningit，“here’sapresentIgotforyouinNewYork。”

Itwasadaguerreotype，clearandsoftasanengraving，representingEvaandherfathersittinghandinhand。

Marielookedatitwithadissatisfiedair。

“Whatmadeyousitinsuchanawkwardposition？”shesaid。

“Well，thepositionmaybeamatterofopinion；butwhatdoyouthinkofthelikeness？”

“Ifyoudon’tthinkanythingofmyopinioninonecase，Isupposeyouwouldn’tinanother，”saidthelady，shuttingthedaguerreotype。

“Hangthewoman！”saidSt。Clare，mentally；butaloudheadded，“Come，now，Marie，whatdoyouthinkofthelikeness？Don’tbenonsensical，now。”

“It’sveryinconsiderateofyou，St。Clare，”saidthelady，“toinsistonmytalkingandlookingatthings。YouknowI’vebeenlyingalldaywiththesick-headache；andthere’sbeensuchatumultmadeeversinceyoucame，I’mhalfdead。”

“You’resubjecttothesick-headache，ma’am！”saidMissOphelia，suddenlyrisingfromthedepthsofthelargearm-chair，whereshehadsatquietly，takinganinventoryofthefurniture，andcalculatingitsexpense。

“Yes，I’maperfectmartyrtoit，”saidthelady。

“Juniper-berryteaisgoodforsick-headache，”saidMissOphelia；“atleast，Auguste，DeaconAbrahamPerry’swife，usedtosayso；andshewasagreatnurse。”

“I’llhavethefirstjuniper-berriesthatgetripeinourgardenbythelakebroughtinforthatspecialpurpose，”saidSt。Clare，gravelypullingthebellashedidso；“meanwhile，cousin，youmustbewantingtoretiretoyourapartment，andrefreshyourselfalittle，afteryourjourney。Dolph，”headded，“tellMammytocomehere。”ThedecentmulattowomanwhomEvahadcaressedsorapturouslysoonentered；shewasdressedneatly，withahighredandyellowturbanonherhead，therecentgiftofEva，andwhichthechildhadbeenarrangingonherhead。“Mammy，”saidSt。Clare，“Iputthisladyunderyourcare；sheistired，andwantsrest；takehertoherchamber，andbesuresheismadecomfortable，”andMissOpheliadisappearedintherearofMammy。

1TheAncientHistory，tenvolumes(1730-1738)，bytheFrenchhistorianCharlesRollin(1661-1741)。

2Scott’sFamilyBible(1788-1792)，editedwithnotesbytheEnglishBiblicalcommentator，ThomasScott(1747-1821)。

3TheCerographicAtlasoftheUnitedStates(1842-1845)，bySidneyEdwardsMorse(1794-1871)，sonofthegeographer，JedidiahMorse，andbrotherofthepainter-inventor，SamuelF。B。Morse。

4RecollectionsoftheTenYears(1826)byTimothyFlint(1780-1840)，missionaryofPresbyterianismtothetrans-AlleghenyWest。

Tom’sMistressandHerOpinions

“Andnow，Marie，”saidSt。Clare，“yourgoldendaysaredawning。Hereisourpractical，business-likeNewEnglandcousin，whowilltakethewholebudgetofcaresoffyourshoulders，andgiveyoutimetorefreshyourself，andgrowyoungandhandsome。Theceremonyofdeliveringthekeyshadbettercomeoffforthwith。”

Thisremarkwasmadeatthebreakfast-table，afewmorningsafterMissOpheliahadarrived。

“I’msureshe’swelcome，”saidMarie，leaningherheadlanguidlyonherhand。“Ithinkshe’llfindonething，ifshedoes，andthatis，thatit’swemistressesthataretheslaves，downhere。”

“O，certainly，shewilldiscoverthat，andaworldofwholesometruthsbesides，nodoubt，”saidSt。Clare。

“Talkaboutourkeepingslaves，asifwediditforourconvenience，”saidMarie。“I’msure，ifweconsultedthat，wemightletthemallgoatonce。”

Evangelinefixedherlarge，seriouseyesonhermother’sface，withanearnestandperplexedexpression，andsaid，simply，“Whatdoyoukeepthemfor，mamma？”

“Idon’tknow，I’msure，exceptforaplague；theyaretheplagueofmylife。Ibelievethatmoreofmyillhealthiscausedbythemthanbyanyonething；andours，Iknow，aretheveryworstthateveranybodywasplaguedwith。”

“O，come，Marie，you’vegottheblues，thismorning，”saidSt。Clare。“Youknow’tisn’tso。There’sMammy，thebestcreatureliving，—whatcouldyoudowithouther？”

“MammyisthebestIeverknew，”saidMarie；“andyetMammy，now，isselfish—dreadfullyselfish；it’sthefaultofthewholerace。”

“Selfishnessisadreadfulfault，”saidSt。Clare，gravely。

“Well，now，there’sMammy，”saidMarie，“Ithinkit’sselfishofhertosleepsosoundnights；sheknowsIneedlittleattentionsalmosteveryhour，whenmyworstturnsareon，andyetshe’ssohardtowake。Iabsolutelyamworse，thisverymorning，fortheeffortsIhadtomaketowakeherlastnight。”

“Hasn’tshesatupwithyouagoodmanynights，lately，mamma？”saidEva。

“Howshouldyouknowthat？”saidMarie，sharply；“she’sbeencomplaining，Isuppose。”

“Shedidn’tcomplain；sheonlytoldmewhatbadnightsyou’dhad，—somanyinsuccession。”

“Whydon’tyouletJaneorRosatakeherplace，anightortwo，”saidSt。Clare，“andletherrest？”

“Howcanyouproposeit？”saidMarie。“St。Clare，youreallyareinconsiderate。SonervousasIam，theleastbreathdisturbsme；andastrangehandaboutmewoulddrivemeabsolutelyfrantic。IfMammyfelttheinterestinmesheoughtto，she’dwakeeasier，—ofcourse，shewould。I’veheardofpeoplewhohadsuchdevotedservants，butitneverwasmyluck；”andMariesighed。

MissOpheliahadlistenedtothisconversationwithanairofshrewd，observantgravity；andshestillkeptherlipstightlycompressed，asifdeterminedfullytoascertainherlongitudeandposition，beforeshecommittedherself。

“Now，Mammyhasasortofgoodness，”saidMarie；“she’ssmoothandrespectful，butshe’sselfishatheart。Now，sheneverwillbedonefidgetingandworryingaboutthathusbandofhers。Yousee，whenIwasmarriedandcametolivehere，ofcourse，Ihadtobringherwithme，andherhusbandmyfathercouldn’tspare。Hewasablacksmith，and，ofcourse，verynecessary；andIthoughtandsaid，atthetime，thatMammyandhehadbettergiveeachotherup，asitwasn’tlikelytobeconvenientforthemevertolivetogetheragain。Iwish，now，I’dinsistedonit，andmarriedMammytosomebodyelse；butIwasfoolishandindulgent，anddidn’twanttoinsist。ItoldMammy，atthetime，thatshemustn’teverexpecttoseehimmorethanonceortwiceinherlifeagain，fortheairoffather’splacedoesn’tagreewithmyhealth，andIcan’tgothere；andIadvisedhertotakeupwithsomebodyelse；butno—shewouldn’t。Mammyhasakindofobstinacyabouther，inspots，thateverybodydon’tseeasIdo。”

“Hasshechildren？”saidMissOphelia。

“Yes；shehastwo。”

“Isupposeshefeelstheseparationfromthem？”

“Well，ofcourse，Icouldn’tbringthem。Theywerelittledirtythings—Icouldn’thavethemabout；and，besides，theytookuptoomuchofhertime；butIbelievethatMammyhasalwayskeptupasortofsulkinessaboutthis。Shewon’tmarryanybodyelse；andIdobelieve，now，thoughsheknowshownecessarysheistome，andhowfeeblemyhealthis，shewouldgobacktoherhusbandtomorrow，ifsheonlycould。Ido，indeed，”saidMarie；“theyarejustsoselfish，now，thebestofthem。”

“It’sdistressingtoreflectupon，”saidSt。Clare，dryly。

MissOphelialookedkeenlyathim，andsawtheflushofmortificationandrepressedvexation，andthesarcasticcurlofthelip，ashespoke。

“Now，Mammyhasalwaysbeenapetwithme，”saidMarie。“Iwishsomeofyournorthernservantscouldlookatherclosetsofdresses，—silksandmuslins，andonereallinencambric，shehashangingthere。I’veworkedsometimeswholeafternoons，trimminghercaps，andgettingherreadytogotoaparty。Astoabuse，shedon’tknowwhatitis。Sheneverwaswhippedmorethanonceortwiceinherwholelife。Shehasherstrongcoffeeorherteaeveryday，withwhitesugarinit。It’sabominable，tobesure；butSt。Clarewillhavehighlifebelow-stairs，andtheyeveryoneofthemlivejustastheyplease。Thefactis，ourservantsareover-indulged。Isupposeitispartlyourfaultthattheyareselfish，andactlikespoiledchildren；butI’vetalkedtoSt。ClaretillIamtired。”

“AndI，too，”saidSt。Clare，takingupthemorningpaper。

Eva，thebeautifulEva，hadstoodlisteningtohermother，withthatexpressionofdeepandmysticearnestnesswhichwaspeculiartoher。Shewalkedsoftlyroundtohermother’schair，andputherarmsroundherneck。

“Well，Eva，whatnow？”saidMarie。

“Mamma，couldn’tItakecareofyouonenight—justone？IknowIshouldn’tmakeyounervous，andIshouldn’tsleep。Ioftenlieawakenights，thinking—”

“O，nonsense，child—nonsense！”saidMarie；“youaresuchastrangechild！”

“ButmayI，mamma？Ithink，”shesaid，timidly，“thatMammyisn’twell。Shetoldmeherheadachedallthetime，lately。”

“O，that’sjustoneofMammy’sfidgets！Mammyisjustlikealltherestofthem—makessuchafussabouteverylittleheadacheorfinger-ache；it’llneverdotoencourageit—never！I’mprincipledaboutthismatter，”saidshe，turningtoMissOphelia；“you’llfindthenecessityofit。Ifyouencourageservantsingivingwaytoeverylittledisagreeablefeeling，andcomplainingofeverylittleailment，you’llhaveyourhandsfull。Inevercomplainmyself—nobodyknowswhatIendure。Ifeelitadutytobearitquietly，andIdo。”

MissOphelia’sroundeyesexpressedanundisguisedamazementatthisperoration，whichstruckSt。Clareassosupremelyludicrous，thatheburstintoaloudlaugh。

“St。ClarealwayslaughswhenImaketheleastallusiontomyillhealth，”saidMarie，withthevoiceofasufferingmartyr。“Ionlyhopethedaywon’tcomewhenhe’llrememberit！”andMarieputherhandkerchieftohereyes。

Ofcourse，therewasratherafoolishsilence。Finally，St。Claregotup，lookedathiswatch，andsaidhehadanengagementdownstreet。Evatrippedawayafterhim，andMissOpheliaandMarieremainedatthetablealone。

“Now，that’sjustlikeSt。Clare！”saidthelatter，withdrawingherhandkerchiefwithsomewhatofaspiritedflourishwhenthecriminaltobeaffectedbyitwasnolongerinsight。“Heneverrealizes，nevercan，neverwill，whatIsuffer，andhave，foryears。IfIwasoneofthecomplainingsort，orevermadeanyfussaboutmyailments，therewouldbesomereasonforit。Mendogettired，naturally，ofacomplainingwife。ButI’vekeptthingstomyself，andborne，andborne，tillSt。ClarehasgotinthewayofthinkingIcanbearanything。”

MissOpheliadidnotexactlyknowwhatshewasexpectedtoanswertothis。

Whileshewasthinkingwhattosay，Mariegraduallywipedawayhertears，andsmoothedherplumageinageneralsortofway，asadovemightbesupposedtomaketoiletafterashower，andbeganahousewifelychatwithMissOphelia，concerningcupboards，closets，linen-presses，store-rooms，andothermatters，ofwhichthelatterwas，bycommonunderstanding，toassumethedirection，—givinghersomanycautiousdirectionsandcharges，thataheadlesssystematicandbusiness-likethanMissOphelia’swouldhavebeenutterlydizziedandconfounded。

“Andnow，”saidMarie，“IbelieveI’vetoldyoueverything；sothat，whenmynextsickturncomeson，you’llbeabletogoforwardentirely，withoutconsultingme；—onlyaboutEva，—sherequireswatching。”

“Sheseemstobeagoodchild，very，”saidMissOphelia；“Ineversawabetterchild。”

“Eva’speculiar，”saidhermother，“very。Therearethingsabouthersosingular；sheisn’tlikeme，now，aparticle；”andMariesighed，asifthiswasatrulymelancholyconsideration。

MissOpheliainherownheartsaid，“Ihopesheisn’t，”buthadprudenceenoughtokeepitdown。

“Evaalwayswasdisposedtobewithservants；andIthinkthatwellenoughwithsomechildren。Now，Ialwaysplayedwithfather’slittlenegroes—itneverdidmeanyharm。ButEvasomehowalwaysseemstoputherselfonanequalitywitheverycreaturethatcomesnearher。It’sastrangethingaboutthechild。Ineverhavebeenabletobreakherofit。St。Clare，Ibelieve，encouragesherinit。Thefactis，St。Clareindulgeseverycreatureunderthisroofbuthisownwife。”

AgainMissOpheliasatinblanksilence。

“Now，there’snowaywithservants，”saidMarie，“buttoputthemdown，andkeepthemdown。Itwasalwaysnaturaltome，fromachild。Evaisenoughtospoilawholehouse-full。Whatshewilldowhenshecomestokeephouseherself，I’msureIdon’tknow。Iholdtobeingkindtoservants—Ialwaysam；butyoumustmake’emknowtheirplace。Evaneverdoes；there’snogettingintothechild’sheadthefirstbeginningofanideawhataservant’splaceis！Youheardherofferingtotakecareofmenights，toletMammysleep！That’sjustaspecimenofthewaythechildwouldbedoingallthetime，ifshewaslefttoherself。”

“Why，”saidMissOphelia，bluntly，“Isupposeyouthinkyourservantsarehumancreatures，andoughttohavesomerestwhentheyaretired。”

“Certainly，ofcourse。I’mveryparticularinlettingthemhaveeverythingthatcomesconvenient，—anythingthatdoesn’tputoneatalloutoftheway，youknow。Mammycanmakeuphersleep，sometimeorother；there’snodifficultyaboutthat。She’sthesleepiestconcernthateverIsaw；sewing，standing，orsitting，thatcreaturewillgotosleep，andsleepanywhereandeverywhere。NodangerbutMammygetssleepenough。Butthistreatingservantsasiftheywereexoticflowers，orchinavases，isreallyridiculous，”saidMarie，assheplungedlanguidlyintothedepthsofavoluminousandpillowylounge，anddrewtowardsheranelegantcut-glassvinaigrette。

“Yousee，”shecontinued，inafaintandlady-likevoice，likethelastdyingbreathofanArabianjessamine，orsomethingequallyethereal，“yousee，CousinOphelia，Idon’toftenspeakofmyself。Itisn’tmyhabit；’tisn’tagreeabletome。Infact，Ihaven’tstrengthtodoit。ButtherearepointswhereSt。ClareandIdiffer。St。Clareneverunderstoodme，neverappreciatedme。Ithinkitliesattherootofallmyillhealth。St。Claremeanswell，Iamboundtobelieve；butmenareconstitutionallyselfishandinconsideratetowoman。That，atleast，ismyimpression。”

MissOphelia，whohadnotasmallshareofthegenuineNewEnglandcaution，andaveryparticularhorrorofbeingdrawnintofamilydifficulties，nowbegantoforeseesomethingofthiskindimpending；so，composingherfaceintoagrimneutrality，anddrawingoutofherpocketaboutayardandaquarterofstocking，whichshekeptasaspecificagainstwhatDr。WattsassertstobeapersonalhabitofSatanwhenpeoplehaveidlehands，sheproceededtoknitmostenergetically，shuttingherlipstogetherinawaythatsaid，asplainaswordscould，“Youneedn’ttrytomakemespeak。Idon’twantanythingtodowithyouraffairs，”—infact，shelookedaboutassympathizingasastonelion。ButMariedidn’tcareforthat。Shehadgotsomebodytotalkto，andshefeltitherdutytotalk，andthatwasenough；andreinforcingherselfbysmellingagainathervinaigrette，shewenton。

“Yousee，Ibroughtmyownpropertyandservantsintotheconnection，whenImarriedSt。Clare，andIamlegallyentitledtomanagethemmyownway。St。Clarehadhisfortuneandhisservants，andI’mwellenoughcontentheshouldmanagethemhisway；butSt。Clarewillbeinterfering。Hehaswild，extravagantnotionsaboutthings，particularlyaboutthetreatmentofservants。Hereallydoesactasifhesethisservantsbeforeme，andbeforehimself，too；forheletsthemmakehimallsortsoftrouble，andneverliftsafinger。Now，aboutsomethings，St。Clareisreallyfrightful—hefrightensme—good-naturedashelooks，ingeneral。Now，hehassetdownhisfootthat，comewhatwill，thereshallnotbeablowstruckinthishouse，exceptwhatheorIstrike；andhedoesitinawaythatIreallydarenotcrosshim。Well，youmayseewhatthatleadsto；forSt。Clarewouldn’traisehishand，ifeveryoneofthemwalkedoverhim，andI—youseehowcruelitwouldbetorequiremetomaketheexertion。Now，youknowtheseservantsarenothingbutgrown-upchildren。”

“Idon’tknowanythingaboutit，andIthanktheLordthatIdon’t！”saidMissOphelia，shortly。

“Well，butyouwillhavetoknowsomething，andknowittoyourcost，ifyoustayhere。Youdon’tknowwhataprovoking，stupid，careless，unreasonable，childish，ungratefulsetofwretchestheyare。”

Marieseemedwonderfullysupported，always，whenshegotuponthistopic；andshenowopenedhereyes，andseemedquitetoforgetherlanguor。

“Youdon’tknow，andyoucan’t，thedaily，hourlytrialsthatbesetahousekeeperfromthem，everywhereandeveryway。Butit’snousetocomplaintoSt。Clare。Hetalksthestrangeststuff。Hesayswehavemadethemwhattheyare，andoughttobearwiththem。Hesaystheirfaultsareallowingtous，andthatitwouldbecrueltomakethefaultandpunishittoo。Hesaysweshouldn’tdoanybetter，intheirplace；justasifonecouldreasonfromthemtous，youknow。”

“Don’tyoubelievethattheLordmadethemofonebloodwithus？”saidMissOphelia，shortly。

“No，indeednotI！Aprettystory，truly！Theyareadegradedrace。”

“Don’tyouthinkthey’vegotimmortalsouls？”saidMissOphelia，withincreasingindignation。

“O，well，”saidMarie，yawning，“that，ofcourse—nobodydoubtsthat。Butastoputtingthemonanysortofequalitywithus，youknow，asifwecouldbecompared，why，it’simpossible！Now，St。ClarereallyhastalkedtomeasifkeepingMammyfromherhusbandwaslikekeepingmefrommine。There’snocomparinginthisway。Mammycouldn’thavethefeelingsthatIshould。It’sadifferentthingaltogether，—ofcourse，itis，—andyetSt。Clarepretendsnottoseeit。AndjustasifMammycouldloveherlittledirtybabiesasIloveEva！YetSt。Clareoncereallyandsoberlytriedtopersuademethatitwasmyduty，withmyweakhealth，andallIsuffer，toletMammygoback，andtakesomebodyelseinherplace。Thatwasalittletoomuchevenformetobear。Idon’toftenshowmyfeelings，Imakeitaprincipletoendureeverythinginsilence；it’sawife’shardlot，andIbearit。ButIdidbreakout，thattime；sothathehasneveralludedtothesubjectsince。ButIknowbyhislooks，andlittlethingsthathesays，thathethinkssoasmuchasever；andit’ssotrying，soprovoking！”

MissOphelialookedverymuchasifshewasafraidsheshouldsaysomething；butsherattledawaywithherneedlesinawaythathadvolumesofmeaninginit，ifMariecouldonlyhaveunderstoodit。

“So，youjustsee，”shecontinued，“whatyou’vegottomanage。Ahouseholdwithoutanyrule；whereservantshaveitalltheirownway，dowhattheyplease，andhavewhattheyplease，exceptsofarasI，withmyfeeblehealth，havekeptupgovernment。Ikeepmycowhideabout，andsometimesIdolayiton；buttheexertionisalwaystoomuchforme。IfSt。Clarewouldonlyhavethisthingdoneasothersdo—”

“Andhow’sthat？”

“Why，sendthemtothecalaboose，orsomeoftheotherplacestobeflogged。That’stheonlyway。IfIwasn’tsuchapoor，feeblepiece，IbelieveIshouldmanagewithtwicetheenergythatSt。Claredoes。”

“AndhowdoesSt。Clarecontrivetomanage？”saidMissOphelia。“Yousayheneverstrikesablow。”

“Well，menhaveamorecommandingway，youknow；itiseasierforthem；besides，ifyoueverlookedfullinhiseye，it’speculiar，—thateye，—andifhespeaksdecidedly，there’sakindofflash。I’mafraidofit，myself；andtheservantsknowtheymustmind。Icouldn’tdoasmuchbyaregularstormandscoldingasSt。Clarecanbyoneturnofhiseye，ifonceheisinearnest。O，there’snotroubleaboutSt。Clare；that’sthereasonhe’snomorefeelingforme。Butyou’llfind，whenyoucometomanage，thatthere’snogettingalongwithoutseverity，—theyaresobad，sodeceitful，solazy”。

“Theoldtune，”saidSt。Clare，saunteringin。“Whatanawfulaccountthesewickedcreatureswillhavetosettle，atlast，especiallyforbeinglazy！Yousee，cousin，”saidhe，ashestretchedhimselfatfulllengthonaloungeoppositetoMarie，“it’swhollyinexcusableinthem，inthelightoftheexamplethatMarieandIsetthem，—thislaziness。”

“Come，now，St。Clare，youaretoobad！”saidMarie。

“AmI，now？Why，IthoughtIwastalkinggood，quiteremarkablyforme。Itrytoenforceyourremarks，Marie，always。”

“Youknowyoumeantnosuchthing，St。Clare，”saidMarie。

“O，Imusthavebeenmistaken，then。Thankyou，mydear，forsettingmeright。”

“Youdoreallytrytobeprovoking，”saidMarie。

“O，come，Marie，thedayisgrowingwarm，andIhavejusthadalongquarrelwithDolph，whichhasfatiguedmeexcessively；so，praybeagreeable，now，andletafellowreposeinthelightofyoursmile。”

“What’sthematteraboutDolph？”saidMarie。“Thatfellow’simpudencehasbeengrowingtoapointthatisperfectlyintolerabletome。IonlywishIhadtheundisputedmanagementofhimawhile。I’dbringhimdown！”

“Whatyousay，mydear，ismarkedwithyourusualacutenessandgoodsense，”saidSt。Clare。“AstoDolph，thecaseisthis:thathehassolongbeenengagedinimitatingmygracesandperfections，thathehas，atlast，reallymistakenhimselfforhismaster；andIhavebeenobligedtogivehimalittleinsightintohismistake。”

“How？”saidMarie。

“Why，IwasobligedtolethimunderstandexplicitlythatIpreferredtokeepsomeofmyclothesformyownpersonalwearing；also，Iputhismagnificenceuponanallowanceofcologne-water，andactuallywassocruelastorestricthimtoonedozenofmycambrichandkerchiefs。Dolphwasparticularlyhuffyaboutit，andIhadtotalktohimlikeafather，tobringhimround。”

“O！St。Clare，whenwillyoulearnhowtotreatyourservants？It’sabominable，thewayyouindulgethem！”saidMarie。

“Why，afterall，what’stheharmofthepoordog’swantingtobelikehismaster；andifIhaven’tbroughthimupanybetterthantofindhischiefgoodincologneandcambrichandkerchiefs，whyshouldn’tIgivethemtohim？”

“Andwhyhaven’tyoubroughthimupbetter？”saidMissOphelia，withbluntdetermination。

“Toomuchtrouble，—laziness，cousin，laziness，—whichruinsmoresoulsthanyoucanshakeastickat。Ifitweren’tforlaziness，Ishouldhavebeenaperfectangel，myself。I’minclinedtothinkthatlazinessiswhatyouroldDr。Botherem，upinVermont，usedtocallthe‘essenceofmoralevil。’It’sanawfulconsideration，certainly。”

“Ithinkyouslaveholdershaveanawfulresponsibilityuponyou，”saidMissOphelia。“Iwouldn’thaveit，forathousandworlds。Yououghttoeducateyourslaves，andtreatthemlikereasonablecreatures，—likeimmortalcreatures，thatyou’vegottostandbeforethebarofGodwith。That’smymind，”saidthegoodlady，breakingsuddenlyoutwithatideofzealthathadbeengainingstrengthinhermindallthemorning。

“O！come，come，”saidSt。Clare，gettingupquickly；“whatdoyouknowaboutus？”Andhesatdowntothepiano，andrattledalivelypieceofmusic。St。Clarehadadecidedgeniusformusic。Histouchwasbrilliantandfirm，andhisfingersflewoverthekeyswitharapidandbird-likemotion，airy，andyetdecided。Heplayedpieceafterpiece，likeamanwhoistryingtoplayhimselfintoagoodhumor。Afterpushingthemusicaside，heroseup，andsaid，gayly，“Well，now，cousin，you’vegivenusagoodtalkanddoneyourduty；onthewhole，Ithinkthebetterofyouforit。Imakenomannerofdoubtthatyouthrewaverydiamondoftruthatme，thoughyouseeithitmesodirectlyinthefacethatitwasn’texactlyappreciated，atfirst。”

“Formypart，Idon’tseeanyuseinsuchsortoftalk，”saidMarie。“I’msure，ifanybodydoesmoreforservantsthanwedo，I’dliketoknowwho；anditdon’tdo’emabitgood，—notaparticle，—theygetworseandworse。Astotalkingtothem，oranythinglikethat，I’msureIhavetalkedtillIwastiredandhoarse，tellingthemtheirduty，andallthat；andI’msuretheycangotochurchwhentheylike，thoughtheydon’tunderstandawordofthesermon，morethansomanypigs，—soitisn’tofanygreatuseforthemtogo，asIsee；buttheydogo，andsotheyhaveeverychance；but，asIsaidbefore，theyareadegradedrace，andalwayswillbe，andthereisn’tanyhelpforthem；youcan’tmakeanythingofthem，ifyoutry。Yousee，CousinOphelia，I’vetried，andyouhaven’t；Iwasbornandbredamongthem，andIknow。”

MissOpheliathoughtshehadsaidenough，andthereforesatsilent。St。Clarewhistledatune。

“St。Clare，Iwishyouwouldn’twhistle，”saidMarie；“itmakesmyheadworse。”

“Iwon’t，”saidSt。Clare。“Isthereanythingelseyouwouldn’twishmetodo？”

“Iwishyouwouldhavesomekindofsympathyformytrials；youneverhaveanyfeelingforme。”

“Mydearaccusingangel！”saidSt。Clare。

“It’sprovokingtobetalkedtointhatway。”

“Then，howwillyoubetalkedto？I’lltalktoorder，—anywayyou’llmention，—onlytogivesatisfaction。”

Agaylaughfromthecourtrangthroughthesilkencurtainsoftheverandah。St。Claresteppedout，andliftingupthecurtain，laughedtoo。

“Whatisit？”saidMissOphelia，comingtotherailing。

TheresatTom，onalittlemossyseatinthecourt，everyoneofhisbutton-holesstuckfullofcapejessamines，andEva，gaylylaughing，washangingawreathofrosesroundhisneck；andthenshesatdownonhisknee，likeachip-sparrow，stilllaughing。

“O，Tom，youlooksofunny！”

Tomhadasober，benevolentsmile，andseemed，inhisquietway，tobeenjoyingthefunquiteasmuchashislittlemistress。Heliftedhiseyes，whenhesawhismaster，withahalf-deprecating，apologeticair。

“Howcanyoulether？”saidMissOphelia。

“Whynot？”saidSt。Clare。

“Why，Idon’tknow，itseemssodreadful！”

“Youwouldthinknoharminachild’scaressingalargedog，evenifhewasblack；butacreaturethatcanthink，andreason，andfeel，andisimmortal，youshudderat；confessit，cousin。Iknowthefeelingamongsomeofyounorthernerswellenough。Notthatthereisaparticleofvirtueinournothavingit；butcustomwithusdoeswhatChristianityoughttodo，—obliteratesthefeelingofpersonalprejudice。Ihaveoftennoticed，inmytravelsnorth，howmuchstrongerthiswaswithyouthanwithus。Youloathethemasyouwouldasnakeoratoad，yetyouareindignantattheirwrongs。Youwouldnothavethemabused；butyoudon’twanttohaveanythingtodowiththemyourselves。YouwouldsendthemtoAfrica，outofyoursightandsmell，andthensendamissionaryortwotodoupalltheself-denialofelevatingthemcompendiously。Isn’tthatit？”

“Well，cousin，”saidMissOphelia，thoughtfully，“theremaybesometruthinthis。”

“Whatwouldthepoorandlowlydo，withoutchildren？”saidSt。Clare，leaningontherailing，andwatchingEva，asshetrippedoff，leadingTomwithher。“Yourlittlechildisyouronlytruedemocrat。Tom，nowisaherotoEva；hisstoriesarewondersinhereyes，hissongsandMethodisthymnsarebetterthananopera，andthetrapsandlittlebitsoftrashinhispocketamineofjewels，andhethemostwonderfulTomthateverworeablackskin。ThisisoneoftherosesofEdenthattheLordhasdroppeddownexpresslyforthepoorandlowly，whogetfewenoughofanyotherkind。”

“It’sstrange，cousin，”saidMissOphelia，“onemightalmostthinkyouwereaprofessor，tohearyoutalk。”

“Aprofessor？”saidSt。Clare。

“Yes；aprofessorofreligion。”

“Notatall；notaprofessor，asyourtown-folkshaveit；and，whatisworse，I’mafraid，notapractiser，either。”

“Whatmakesyoutalkso，then？”

“Nothingiseasierthantalking，”saidSt。Clare。“IbelieveShakespearemakessomebodysay，‘Icouldsoonershowtwentywhatweregoodtobedone，thanbeoneofthetwentytofollowmyownshowing。’1Nothinglikedivisionoflabor。Myforteliesintalking，andyours，cousin，liesindoing。”

InTom’sexternalsituation，atthistime，therewas，astheworldsays，nothingtocomplainofLittleEva’sfancyforhim—theinstinctivegratitudeandlovelinessofanoblenature—hadledhertopetitionherfatherthathemightbeherespecialattendant，wheneversheneededtheescortofaservant，inherwalksorrides；andTomhadgeneralorderstoleteverythingelsego，andattendtoMissEvawhenevershewantedhim，—orderswhichourreadersmayfancywerefarfromdisagreeabletohim。Hewaskeptwelldressed，forSt。Clarewasfastidiouslyparticularonthispoint。Hisstableservicesweremerelyasinecure，andconsistedsimplyinadailycareandinspection，anddirectinganunder-servantinhisduties；forMarieSt。Claredeclaredthatshecouldnothaveanysmellofthehorsesabouthimwhenhecamenearher，andthathemustpositivelynotbeputtoanyservicethatwouldmakehimunpleasanttoher，ashernervoussystemwasentirelyinadequatetoanytrialofthatnature；onesnuffofanythingdisagreeablebeing，accordingtoheraccount，quitesufficienttoclosethescene，andputanendtoallherearthlytrialsatonce。Tom，therefore，inhiswell-brushedbroadclothsuit，smoothbeaver，glossyboots，faultlesswristbandsandcollar，withhisgrave，good-naturedblackface，lookedrespectableenoughtobeaBishopofCarthage，asmenofhiscolorwere，inotherages。

Then，too，hewasinabeautifulplace，aconsiderationtowhichhissensitiveracewasneverindifferent；andhedidenjoywithaquietjoythebirds，theflowers，thefountains，theperfume，andlightandbeautyofthecourt，thesilkenhangings，andpictures，andlustres，andstatuettes，andgilding，thatmadetheparlorswithinakindofAladdin’spalacetohim。

IfeverAfricashallshowanelevatedandcultivatedrace，—andcomeitmust，sometime，herturntofigureinthegreatdramaofhumanimprovement。—lifewillawaketherewithagorgeousnessandsplendorofwhichourcoldwesterntribesfaintlyhaveconceived。Inthatfar-offmysticlandofgold，andgems，andspices，andwavingpalms，andwondrousflowers，andmiraculousfertility，willawakenewformsofart，newstylesofsplendor；andthenegrorace，nolongerdespisedandtroddendown，will，perhaps，showforthsomeofthelatestandmostmagnificentrevelationsofhumanlife。Certainlytheywill，intheirgentleness，theirlowlydocilityofheart，theiraptitudetoreposeonasuperiormindandrestonahigherpower，theirchildlikesimplicityofaffection，andfacilityofforgiveness。InallthesetheywillexhibitthehighestformofthepeculiarlyChristianlife，and，perhaps，asGodchastenethwhomheloveth，hehathchosenpoorAfricainthefurnaceofaffliction，tomakeherthehighestandnoblestinthatkingdomwhichhewillsetup，wheneveryotherkingdomhasbeentried，andfailed；forthefirstshallbelast，andthelastfirst。

WasthiswhatMarieSt。Clarewasthinkingof，asshestood，gorgeouslydressed，ontheverandah，onSundaymorning，claspingadiamondbraceletonherslenderwrist？Mostlikelyitwas。Or，ifitwasn’tthat，itwassomethingelse；forMariepatronizedgoodthings，andshewasgoingnow，infullforce，—diamonds，silk，andlace，andjewels，andall，—toafashionablechurch，tobeveryreligious。MariealwaysmadeapointtobeverypiousonSundays。Thereshestood，soslender，soelegant，soairyandundulatinginallhermotions，herlacescarfenvelopingherlikeamist。Shelookedagracefulcreature，andshefeltverygoodandveryelegantindeed。MissOpheliastoodatherside，aperfectcontrast。Itwasnotthatshehadnotashandsomeasilkdressandshawl，andasfineapocket-handkerchief；butstiffnessandsquareness，andbolt-uprightness，envelopedherwithasindefiniteyetappreciableapresenceasdidgraceherelegantneighbor；notthegraceofGod，however，—thatisquiteanotherthing！

“Where’sEva？”saidMarie。

“Thechildstoppedonthestairs，tosaysomethingtoMammy。”

AndwhatwasEvasayingtoMammyonthestairs？Listen，reader，andyouwillhear，thoughMariedoesnot。

“DearMammy，Iknowyourheadisachingdreadfully。”

“Lordblessyou，MissEva！myheadallersacheslately。Youdon’tneedtoworry。”

“Well，I’mgladyou’regoingout；andhere，”—andthelittlegirlthrewherarmsaroundher，—“Mammy，youshalltakemyvinaigrette。”

“What！yourbeautifulgoldthing，thar，withthemdiamonds！Lor，Miss，’twouldn’tbeproper，noways。”

“Whynot？Youneedit，andIdon’t。Mammaalwaysusesitforheadache，andit’llmakeyoufeelbetter。No，youshalltakeit，topleaseme，now。”

“Dohearthedarlintalk！”saidMammy，asEvathrustitintoherbosom，andkissingher，randownstairstohermother。

“Whatwereyoustoppingfor？”

“IwasjuststoppingtogiveMammymyvinaigrette，totaketochurchwithher。”

“Eva”saidMarie，stampingimpatiently，—“yourgoldvinaigrettetoMammy！Whenwillyoulearnwhat’sproper？Gorightandtakeitbackthismoment！”

Evalookeddowncastandaggrieved，andturnedslowly。

“Isay，Marie，letthechildalone；sheshalldoasshepleases，”saidSt。Clare。

“St。Clare，howwillsheevergetalongintheworld？”saidMarie。

“TheLordknows，”saidSt。Clare，“butshe’llgetalonginheavenbetterthanyouorI。”

“O，papa，don’t，”saidEva，softlytouchinghiselbow；“ittroublesmother。”

“Well，cousin，areyoureadytogotomeeting？”saidMissOphelia，turningsquareaboutonSt。Clare。

“I’mnotgoing，thankyou。”

“IdowishSt。Clareeverwouldgotochurch，”saidMarie；“buthehasn’taparticleofreligionabouthim。Itreallyisn’trespectable。”

“Iknowit，”saidSt。Clare。“Youladiesgotochurchtolearnhowtogetalongintheworld，Isuppose，andyourpietyshedsrespectabilityonus。IfIdidgoatall，IwouldgowhereMammygoes；there’ssomethingtokeepafellowawakethere，atleast。”

“What！thoseshoutingMethodists？Horrible！”saidMarie。

“Anythingbutthedeadseaofyourrespectablechurches，Marie。Positively，it’stoomuchtoaskofaman。Eva，doyouliketogo？Come，stayathomeandplaywithme。”

“Thankyou，papa；butI’drathergotochurch。”

“Isn’titdreadfultiresome？”saidSt。Clare。

“Ithinkitistiresome，some，”saidEva，“andIamsleepy，too，butItrytokeepawake。”

“Whatdoyougofor，then？”

“Why，youknow，papa，”shesaid，inawhisper，“cousintoldmethatGodwantstohaveus；andhegivesuseverything，youknow；anditisn’tmuchtodoit，ifhewantsusto。Itisn’tsoverytiresomeafterall。”

“Yousweet，littleobligingsoul！”saidSt。Clare，kissingher；“goalong，that’sagoodgirl，andprayforme。”

“Certainly，Ialwaysdo，”saidthechild，asshesprangafterhermotherintothecarriage。

St。Clarestoodonthestepsandkissedhishandtoher，asthecarriagedroveaway；largetearswereinhiseyes。

“O，Evangeline！rightlynamed，”hesaid；“hathnotGodmadetheeanevangeltome？”

Sohefeltamoment；andthenhesmokedacigar，andreadthePicayune，andforgothislittlegospel。Washemuchunlikeotherfolks？

“Yousee，Evangeline，”saidhermother，“it’salwaysrightandpropertobekindtoservants，butitisn’tpropertotreatthemjustaswewouldourrelations，orpeopleinourownclassoflife。Now，ifMammywassick，youwouldn’twanttoputherinyourownbed。”

“Ishouldfeeljustlikeit，mamma，”saidEva，“becausethenitwouldbehandiertotakecareofher，andbecause，youknow，mybedisbetterthanhers。”

Mariewasinutterdespairattheentirewantofmoralperceptionevincedinthisreply。

“WhatcanIdotomakethischildunderstandme？”shesaid。

“Nothing，”saidMissOphelia，significantly。

Evalookedsorryanddisconcertedforamoment；butchildren，luckily，donotkeeptooneimpressionlong，andinafewmomentsshewasmerrilylaughingatvariousthingswhichshesawfromthecoach-windows，asitrattledalong。

“Well，ladies，”saidSt。Clare，astheywerecomfortablyseatedatthedinner-table，“andwhatwasthebilloffareatchurchtoday？”

“O，Dr。G——preachedasplendidsermon，”saidMarie。“Itwasjustsuchasermonasyououghttohear；itexpressedallmyviewsexactly。”

“Itmusthavebeenveryimproving，”saidSt。Clare。“Thesubjectmusthavebeenanextensiveone。”

“Well，Imeanallmyviewsaboutsociety，andsuchthings，”saidMarie。“Thetextwas，‘Hehathmadeeverythingbeautifulinitsseason；’andheshowedhowalltheordersanddistinctionsinsocietycamefromGod；andthatitwassoappropriate，youknow，andbeautiful，thatsomeshouldbehighandsomelow，andthatsomewereborntoruleandsometoserve，andallthat，youknow；andheapplieditsowelltoallthisridiculousfussthatismadeaboutslavery，andheproveddistinctlythattheBiblewasonourside，andsupportedallourinstitutionssoconvincingly。Ionlywishyou’dheardhim。”

“O，Ididn’tneedit，”saidSt。Clare。“IcanlearnwhatdoesmeasmuchgoodasthatfromthePicayune，anytime，andsmokeacigarbesides；whichIcan’tdo，youknow，inachurch。”

“Why，”saidMissOphelia，“don’tyoubelieveintheseviews？”

“Who，—I？YouknowI’msuchagracelessdogthatthesereligiousaspectsofsuchsubjectsdon’tedifymemuch。IfIwastosayanythingonthisslaverymatter，Iwouldsayout，fairandsquare，‘We’reinforit；we’vegot’em，andmeantokeep’em，—it’sforourconvenienceandourinterest；’forthat’sthelongandshortofit，—that’sjustthewholeofwhatallthissanctifiedstuffamountsto，afterall；andIthinkthatitwillbeintelligibletoeverybody，everywhere。”

“Idothink，Augustine，youaresoirreverent！”saidMarie。“Ithinkit’sshockingtohearyoutalk。”

“Shocking！it’sthetruth。Thisreligioustalkonsuchmatters，—whydon’ttheycarryitalittlefurther，andshowthebeauty，initsseason，ofafellow’stakingaglasstoomuch，andsittingalittletoolateoverhiscards，andvariousprovidentialarrangementsofthatsort，whichareprettyfrequentamongusyoungmen；—we’dliketohearthatthosearerightandgodly，too。”

“Well，”saidMissOphelia，“doyouthinkslaveryrightorwrong？”

I’mnotgoingtohaveanyofyourhorridNewEnglanddirectness，cousin，”saidSt。Clare，gayly。“IfIanswerthatquestion，Iknowyou’llbeatmewithhalfadozenothers，eachoneharderthanthelast；andI’mnotagoingtodefinemyposition。Iamoneofthesortthatlivesbythrowingstonesatotherpeople’sglasshouses，butInevermeantoputuponeforthemtostone。”

“That’sjustthewayhe’salwaystalking，”saidMarie；“youcan’tgetanysatisfactionoutofhim。Ibelieveit’sjustbecausehedon’tlikereligion，thathe’salwaysrunningoutinthiswayhe’sbeendoing。”

“Religion！”saidSt。Clare，inatonethatmadebothladieslookathim。“Religion！Iswhatyouhearatchurch，religion？Isthatwhichcanbendandturn，anddescendandascend，tofiteverycrookedphaseofselfish，worldlysociety，religion？Isthatreligionwhichislessscrupulous，lessgenerous，lessjust，lessconsiderateforman，thanevenmyownungodly，worldly，blindednature？No！WhenIlookforareligion，Imustlookforsomethingaboveme，andnotsomethingbeneath。”

“Thenyoudon’tbelievethattheBiblejustifiesslavery，”saidMissOphelia。

“TheBiblewasmymother’sbook，”saidSt。Clare。“Byitshelivedanddied，andIwouldbeverysorrytothinkitdid。I’dassoondesiretohaveitprovedthatmymothercoulddrinkbrandy，chewtobacco，andswear，bywayofsatisfyingmethatIdidrightindoingthesame。Itwouldn’tmakemeatallmoresatisfiedwiththesethingsinmyself，anditwouldtakefrommethecomfortofrespectingher；anditreallyisacomfort，inthisworld，tohaveanythingonecanrespect。Inshort，yousee，”saidhe，suddenlyresuminghisgaytone，“allIwantisthatdifferentthingsbekeptindifferentboxes。Thewholeframe-workofsociety，bothinEuropeandAmerica，ismadeupofvariousthingswhichwillnotstandthescrutinyofanyveryidealstandardofmorality。It’sprettygenerallyunderstoodthatmendon’taspireaftertheabsoluteright，butonlytodoaboutaswellastherestoftheworld。Now，whenanyonespeaksup，likeaman，andsaysslaveryisnecessarytous，wecan’tgetalongwithoutit，weshouldbebeggaredifwegiveitup，and，ofcourse，wemeantoholdontoit，—thisisstrong，clear，well-definedlanguage；ithastherespectabilityoftruthtoit；and，ifwemayjudgebytheirpractice，themajorityoftheworldwillbearusoutinit。Butwhenhebeginstoputonalongface，andsnuffle，andquoteScripture，Iinclinetothinkheisn’tmuchbetterthanheshouldbe。”

“Youareveryuncharitable，”saidMarie。

“Well，”saidSt。Clare，“supposethatsomethingshouldbringdownthepriceofcottononceandforever，andmakethewholeslavepropertyadruginthemarket，don’tyouthinkweshouldsoonhaveanotherversionoftheScripturedoctrine？Whatafloodoflightwouldpourintothechurch，allatonce，andhowimmediatelyitwouldbediscoveredthateverythingintheBibleandreasonwenttheotherway！”

“Well，atanyrate，”saidMarie，asshereclinedherselfonalounge，“I’mthankfulI’mbornwhereslaveryexists；andIbelieveit’sright，—indeed，Ifeelitmustbe；and，atanyrate，I’msureIcouldn’tgetalongwithoutit。”

“Isay，whatdoyouthink，Pussy？”saidherfathertoEva，whocameinatthismoment，withaflowerinherhand。

“Whatabout，papa？”

“Why，whichdoyoulikethebest，—toliveastheydoatyouruncle’s，upinVermont，ortohaveahouse-fullofservants，aswedo？”

“O，ofcourse，ourwayisthepleasantest，”saidEva。

“Whyso？”saidSt。Clare，strokingherhead。

“Why，itmakessomanymoreroundyoutolove，youknow，”saidEva，lookingupearnestly。

“Now，that’sjustlikeEva，”saidMarie；“justoneofheroddspeeches。”

“Isitanoddspeech，papa？”saidEva，whisperingly，asshegotuponhisknee。

“Rather，asthisworldgoes，Pussy，”saidSt。Clare。“ButwherehasmylittleEvabeen，alldinner-time？”

“O，I’vebeenupinTom’sroom，hearinghimsing，andAuntDinahgavememydinner。”

“HearingTomsing，hey？”

“O，yes！hesingssuchbeautifulthingsabouttheNewJerusalem，andbrightangels，andthelandofCanaan。”

“Idaresay；it’sbetterthantheopera，isn’tit？”

“Yes，andhe’sgoingtoteachthemtome。”

“Singinglessons，hey？—youarecomingon。”

“Yes，hesingsforme，andIreadtohiminmyBible；andheexplainswhatitmeans，youknow。”

“Onmyword，”saidMarie，laughing，“thatisthelatestjokeoftheseason。”

“Tomisn’tabadhand，now，atexplainingScripture，I’lldareswear，”saidSt。Clare。“Tomhasanaturalgeniusforreligion。Iwantedthehorsesoutearly，thismorning，andIstoleuptoTom’scubiculumthere，overthestables，andthereIheardhimholdingameetingbyhimself；and，infact，Ihaven’theardanythingquitesosavoryasTom’sprayer，thissometime。Heputinforme，withazealthatwasquiteapostolic。”

“Perhapsheguessedyouwerelistening。I’veheardofthattrickbefore。”

“Ifhedid，hewasn’tverypolite；forhegavetheLordhisopinionofme，prettyfreely。Tomseemedtothinktherewasdecidedlyroomforimprovementinme，andseemedveryearnestthatIshouldbeconverted。”

“Ihopeyou’lllayittoheart，”saidMissOphelia。

“Isupposeyouaremuchofthesameopinion，”saidSt。Clare。“Well，weshallsee，—shan’twe，Eva？”

1TheMerchantofVenice，Act1，scene2，lines17-18。