第9章

Kentuck

Ourreadersmaynotbeunwillingtoglanceback，forabriefinterval，atUncleTom’sCabin，ontheKentuckyfarm，andseewhathasbeentranspiringamongthosewhomhehadleftbehind。

Itwaslateinthesummerafternoon，andthedoorsandwindowsofthelargeparlorallstoodopen，toinviteanystraybreeze，thatmightfeelinagoodhumor，toenter。Mr。Shelbysatinalargehallopeningintotheroom，andrunningthroughthewholelengthofthehouse，toabalconyoneitherend。Leisurelytippedbackononechair，withhisheelsinanother，hewasenjoyinghisafter-dinnercigar。Mrs。Shelbysatinthedoor，busyaboutsomefinesewing；sheseemedlikeonewhohadsomethingonhermind，whichshewasseekinganopportunitytointroduce。

“Doyouknow，”shesaid，“thatChloehashadaletterfromTom？”

“Ah！hasshe？Tom’sgotsomefriendthere，itseems。Howistheoldboy？”

“Hehasbeenboughtbyaveryfinefamily，Ishouldthink，”saidMrs。Shelby，—“iskindlytreated，andhasnotmuchtodo。”

“Ah！well，I’mgladofit，—veryglad，”saidMr。Shelby，heartily。“Tom，Isuppose，willgetreconciledtoaSouthernresidence；—hardlywanttocomeuphereagain。”

“Onthecontraryheinquiresveryanxiously，”saidMrs。Shelby，“whenthemoneyforhisredemptionistoberaised。”

“I’msureIdon’tknow，”saidMr。Shelby。“Oncegetbusinessrunningwrong，theredoesseemtobenoendtoit。It’slikejumpingfromonebogtoanother，allthroughaswamp；borrowofonetopayanother，andthenborrowofanothertopayone，—andtheseconfoundednotesfallingduebeforeamanhastimetosmokeacigarandturnround，—dunninglettersanddunningmessages，—allscamperandhurry-scurry。”

“Itdoesseemtome，mydear，thatsomethingmightbedonetostraightenmatters。Supposeweselloffallthehorses，andselloneofyourfarms，andpayupsquare？”

“O，ridiculous，Emily！YouarethefinestwomaninKentucky；butstillyouhaven’tsensetoknowthatyoudon’tunderstandbusiness；—womenneverdo，andnevercan。

“But，atleast，”saidMrs。Shelby，“couldnotyougivemesomelittleinsightintoyours；alistofallyourdebts，atleast，andofallthatisowedtoyou，andletmetryandseeifIcan’thelpyoutoeconomize。”

“O，bother！don’tplagueme，Emily！—Ican’ttellexactly。Iknowsomewhereaboutwhatthingsarelikelytobe；butthere’snotrimmingandsquaringmyaffairs，asChloetrimscrustoffherpies。Youdon’tknowanythingaboutbusiness，Itellyou。”

AndMr。Shelby，notknowinganyotherwayofenforcinghisideas，raisedhisvoice，—amodeofarguingveryconvenientandconvincing，whenagentlemanisdiscussingmattersofbusinesswithhiswife。

Mrs。Shelbyceasedtalking，withsomethingofasigh。Thefactwas，thatthoughherhusbandhadstatedshewasawoman，shehadaclear，energetic，practicalmind，andaforceofcharactereverywaysuperiortothatofherhusband；sothatitwouldnothavebeensoveryabsurdasupposition，tohaveallowedhercapableofmanaging，asMr。Shelbysupposed。HerheartwassetonperformingherpromisetoTomandAuntChloe，andshesighedasdiscouragementsthickenedaroundher。

“Don’tyouthinkwemightinsomewaycontrivetoraisethatmoney？PoorAuntChloe！herheartissosetonit！”

“I’msorry，ifitis。IthinkIwasprematureinpromising。I’mnotsure，now，butit’sthebestwaytotellChloe，andlethermakeuphermindtoit。Tom’llhaveanotherwife，inayearortwo；andshehadbettertakeupwithsomebodyelse。”

“Mr。Shelby，Ihavetaughtmypeoplethattheirmarriagesareassacredasours。InevercouldthinkofgivingChloesuchadvice。”

“It’sapity，wife，thatyouhaveburdenedthemwithamoralityabovetheirconditionandprospects。Ialwaysthoughtso。”

“It’sonlythemoralityoftheBible，Mr。Shelby。”

“Well，well，Emily，Idon’tpretendtointerferewithyourreligiousnotions；onlytheyseemextremelyunfittedforpeopleinthatcondition。”

“Theyare，indeed，”saidMrs。Shelby，“andthatiswhy，frommysoul，Ihatethewholething。Itellyou，mydear，IcannotabsolvemyselffromthepromisesImaketothesehelplesscreatures。IfIcangetthemoneynootherwayIwilltakemusic-scholars；—Icouldgetenough，Iknow，andearnthemoneymyself。”

“Youwouldn’tdegradeyourselfthatway，Emily？Inevercouldconsenttoit。”

“Degrade！woulditdegrademeasmuchastobreakmyfaithwiththehelpless？No，indeed！”

“Well，youarealwaysheroicandtranscendental，”saidMr。Shelby，“butIthinkyouhadbetterthinkbeforeyouundertakesuchapieceofQuixotism。”

HeretheconversationwasinterruptedbytheappearanceofAuntChloe，attheendoftheverandah。

“Ifyouplease，Missis，”saidshe。

“Well，Chloe，whatisit？”saidhermistress，rising，andgoingtotheendofthebalcony。

“IfMissiswouldcomeandlookatdisyerloto’poetry。”

Chloehadaparticularfancyforcallingpoultrypoetry，—anapplicationoflanguageinwhichshealwayspersisted，notwithstandingfrequentcorrectionsandadvisingsfromtheyoungmembersofthefamily。

“Lasakes！”shewouldsay，“Ican’tsee；onejisgoodasturry，—poetrysuthingood，anyhow；”andsopoetryChloecontinuedtocallit。

Mrs。Shelbysmiledasshesawaprostratelotofchickensandducks，overwhichChloestood，withaverygravefaceofconsideration。

“I’mathinkinwhetherMissiswouldbeahavinachickenpieo’deseyer。”

“Really，AuntChloe，Idon’tmuchcare；—servethemanywayyoulike。”

Chloestoodhandlingthemoverabstractedly；itwasquiteevidentthatthechickenswerenotwhatshewasthinkingof。Atlast，withtheshortlaughwithwhichhertribeoftenintroduceadoubtfulproposal，shesaid，

“Lawsme，Missis！whatshouldMas’randMissisbeatroublintheirselves’boutdemoney，andnotausinwhat’srightinderhands？”andChloelaughedagain。

“Idon’tunderstandyou，Chloe，”saidMrs。Shelby，nothingdoubting，fromherknowledgeofChloe’smanner，thatshehadheardeverywordoftheconversationthathadpassedbetweenherandherhusband。

“Why，lawsme，Missis！”saidChloe，laughingagain，“otherfolkshiresoutderniggersandmakesmoneyon’em！Don’tkeepsichatribeeatin’emoutofhouseandhome。”

“Well，Chloe，whodoyouproposethatweshouldhireout？”

“Laws！Ian’taproposinnothin；onlySamhesaidderwasoneofdeseyerperfectioners，deycalls’em，inLouisville，saidhewantedagoodhandatcakeandpastry；andsaidhe’dgivefourdollarsaweektoone，hedid。”

“Well，Chloe。”

“Well，laws，I’sathinkin，Missis，it’stimeSallywasputalongtobedoin’something。Sally’sbeenundermycare，now，dissometime，andshedoesmostaswellasme，considerin；andifMissiswouldonlyletmego，Iwouldhelpfetchupdemoney。Ian’tafraidtoputmycake，norpiesnother，’longsidenoperfectioner’s。

“Confectioner’s，Chloe。”

“Lawsakes，Missis！’tan’tnoodds；—wordsissocuris，can’tneverget’emright！”

“But，Chloe，doyouwanttoleaveyourchildren？”

“Laws，Missis！deboysisbigenoughtododay’sworks；deydoeswellenough；andSally，she’lltakedebaby，—she’ssuchapeartyoungun，shewon’ttakenolookinarter。”

“Louisvilleisagoodwayoff。”

“Lawsakes！who’safeard？—it’sdownriver，somernearmyoldman，perhaps？”saidChloe，speakingthelastinthetoneofaquestion，andlookingatMrs。Shelby。

“No，Chloe；it’smanyahundredmilesoff，”saidMrs。Shelby。

Chloe’scountenancefell。

“Nevermind；yourgoingthereshallbringyounearer，Chloe。Yes，youmaygo；andyourwagesshalleverycentofthembelaidasideforyourhusband’sredemption。”

Aswhenabrightsunbeamturnsadarkcloudtosilver，soChloe’sdarkfacebrightenedimmediately，—itreallyshone。

“Laws！ifMissisisn’ttoogood！Iwasthinkingofdatarverything；causeIshouldn’tneednoclothes，norshoes，nornothin，—Icouldsaveeverycent。Howmanyweeksisderinayear，Missis？”

“Fifty-two，”saidMrs。Shelby。

“Laws！now，dereis？andfourdollarsforeachonem。Why，howmuch’ddatarbe？”

“Twohundredandeightdollars，”saidMrs。Shelby。

“Why-e！”saidChloe，withanaccentofsurpriseanddelight；“andhowlongwouldittakemetoworkitout，Missis？”

“Somefourorfiveyears，Chloe；but，then，youneedn’tdoitall，—Ishalladdsomethingtoit。”

“Iwouldn’theartoMissis’givinlessonsnornothin。Mas’r’squiterightindatar；—’twouldn’tdo，noways。Ihopenoneourfamilyeverbebroughttodatar，whileI’sgothands。”

“Don’tfear，Chloe；I’lltakecareofthehonorofthefamily，”saidMrs。Shelby，smiling。“Butwhendoyouexpecttogo？”

“Well，Iwantspectinnothin；onlySam，he’sagwinetoderiverwithsomecolts，andhesaidIcouldgolongwithhim；soIjesputmythingstogether。IfMissiswaswillin，I’dgowithSamtomorrowmorning，ifMissiswouldwritemypass，andwritemeacommendation。”

“Well，Chloe，I’llattendtoit，ifMr。Shelbyhasnoobjections。Imustspeaktohim。”

Mrs。Shelbywentupstairs，andAuntChloe，delighted，wentouttohercabin，tomakeherpreparation。

“Lawsakes，Mas’rGeorge！yedidn’tknowI’sagwinetoLouisvilletomorrow！”shesaidtoGeorge，asenteringhercabin，hefoundherbusyinsortingoverherbaby’sclothes。“IthoughtI’djislookoversis’sthings，andget’emstraightenedup。ButI’mgwine，Mas’rGeorge，—gwinetohavefourdollarsaweek；andMissisisgwinetolayitallup，tobuybackmyoldmanagin！”

“Whew！”saidGeorge，“here’sastrokeofbusiness，tobesure！Howareyougoing？”

“Tomorrow，widSam。Andnow，Mas’rGeorge，Iknowsyou’lljissitdownandwritetomyoldman，andtellhimallaboutit，—won’tye？”

“Tobesure，”saidGeorge；“UncleTom’llberightgladtohearfromus。I’llgorightinthehouse，forpaperandink；andthen，youknow，AuntChloe，Icantellaboutthenewcoltsandall。”

“Sartin，sartin，Mas’rGeorge；yougo’long，andI’llgetyeupabito’chicken，orsomesich；yewon’thavemanymoresupperswidyerpooroldaunty。”

“TheGrassWithereth—theFlowerFadeth”

Lifepasses，withusall，adayatatime；soitpassedwithourfriendTom，tilltwoyearsweregone。Thoughpartedfromallhissoulhelddear，andthoughoftenyearningforwhatlaybeyond，stillwasheneverpositivelyandconsciouslymiserable；for，sowellistheharpofhumanfeelingstrung，thatnothingbutacrashthatbreakseverystringcanwhollymaritsharmony；and，onlookingbacktoseasonswhichinreviewappeartousasthoseofdeprivationandtrial，wecanrememberthateachhour，asitglided，broughtitsdiversionsandalleviations，sothat，thoughnothappywholly，wewerenot，either，whollymiserable。

Tomread，inhisonlyliterarycabinet，ofonewhohad“learnedinwhatsoeverstatehewas，therewithtobecontent。”Itseemedtohimgoodandreasonabledoctrine，andaccordedwellwiththesettledandthoughtfulhabitwhichhehadacquiredfromthereadingofthatsamebook。

Hisletterhomeward，aswerelatedinthelastchapter，wasinduetimeansweredbyMasterGeorge，inagood，round，school-boyhand，thatTomsaidmightberead“mostacrosttheroom。”Itcontainedvariousrefreshingitemsofhomeintelligence，withwhichourreaderisfullyacquainted:statedhowAuntChloehadbeenhiredouttoaconfectionerinLouisville，whereherskillinthepastrylinewasgainingwonderfulsumsofmoney，allofwhich，Tomwasinformed，wastobelaiduptogotomakeupthesumofhisredemptionmoney；MoseandPetewerethriving，andthebabywastrottingallaboutthehouse，underthecareofSallyandthefamilygenerally。

Tom’scabinwasshutupforthepresent；butGeorgeexpatiatedbrilliantlyonornamentsandadditionstobemadetoitwhenTomcameback。

TherestofthislettergavealistofGeorge’sschoolstudies，eachoneheadedbyaflourishingcapital；andalsotoldthenamesoffournewcoltsthatappearedonthepremisessinceTomleft；andstated，inthesameconnection，thatfatherandmotherwerewell。Thestyleoftheletterwasdecidedlyconciseandterse；butTomthoughtitthemostwonderfulspecimenofcompositionthathadappearedinmoderntimes。Hewasnevertiredoflookingatit，andevenheldacouncilwithEvaontheexpediencyofgettingitframed，tohangupinhisroom。Nothingbutthedifficultyofarrangingitsothatbothsidesofthepagewouldshowatoncestoodinthewayofthisundertaking。

ThefriendshipbetweenTomandEvahadgrownwiththechild’sgrowth。Itwouldbehardtosaywhatplacesheheldinthesoft，impressibleheartofherfaithfulattendant。Helovedherassomethingfrailandearthly，yetalmostworshippedherassomethingheavenlyanddivine。HegazedonherastheItaliansailorgazesonhisimageofthechildJesus，—withamixtureofreverenceandtenderness；andtohumorhergracefulfancies，andmeetthosethousandsimplewantswhichinvestchildhoodlikeamany-coloredrainbow，wasTom’schiefdelight。Inthemarket，atmorning，hiseyeswerealwaysontheflower-stallsforrarebouquetsforher，andthechoicestpeachororangewasslippedintohispockettogivetoherwhenhecameback；andthesightthatpleasedhimmostwashersunnyheadlookingoutthegateforhisdistantapproach，andherchildishquestions，—“Well，UncleTom，whathaveyougotformetoday？”

NorwasEvalesszealousinkindoffices，inreturn。Thoughachild，shewasabeautifulreader；—afinemusicalear，aquickpoeticfancy，andaninstinctivesympathywithwhat’sgrandandnoble，madehersuchareaderoftheBibleasTomhadneverbeforeheard。Atfirst，shereadtopleaseherhumblefriend；butsoonherownearnestnaturethrewoutitstendrils，andwounditselfaroundthemajesticbook；andEvalovedit，becauseitwokeinherstrangeyearnings，andstrong，dimemotions，suchasimpassioned，imaginativechildrenlovetofeel。

ThepartsthatpleasedhermostweretheRevelationsandtheProphecies，—partswhosedimandwondrousimagery，andferventlanguage，impressedherthemore，thatshequestionedvainlyoftheirmeaning；—andsheandhersimplefriend，theoldchildandtheyoungone，feltjustalikeaboutit。Allthattheyknewwas，thattheyspokeofaglorytoberevealed，—awondroussomethingyettocome，whereintheirsoulrejoiced，yetknewnotwhy；andthoughitbenotsointhephysical，yetinmoralsciencethatwhichcannotbeunderstoodisnotalwaysprofitless。Forthesoulawakes，atremblingstranger，betweentwodimeternities，—theeternalpast，theeternalfuture。Thelightshinesonlyonasmallspacearoundher；therefore，sheneedsmustyearntowardstheunknown；andthevoicesandshadowymovingswhichcometoherfromoutthecloudypillarofinspirationhaveeachoneechoesandanswersinherownexpectingnature。Itsmysticimageryaresomanytalismansandgemsinscribedwithunknownhieroglyphics；shefoldstheminherbosom，andexpectstoreadthemwhenshepassesbeyondtheveil。

Atthistimeinourstory，thewholeSt。Clareestablishmentis，forthetimebeing，removedtotheirvillaonLakePontchartrain。Theheatsofsummerhaddrivenallwhowereabletoleavethesultryandunhealthycity，toseektheshoresofthelake，anditscoolsea-breezes。

St。Clare’svillawasanEastIndiancottage，surroundedbylightverandahsofbamboo-work，andopeningonallsidesintogardensandpleasure-grounds。Thecommonsitting-roomopenedontoalargegarden，fragrantwitheverypicturesqueplantandflowerofthetropics，wherewindingpathsrandowntotheveryshoresofthelake，whosesilverysheetofwaterlaythere，risingandfallinginthesunbeams，—apictureneverforanhourthesame，yeteveryhourmorebeautiful。

Itisnowoneofthoseintenselygoldensunsetswhichkindlesthewholehorizonintooneblazeofglory，andmakesthewateranothersky。Thelakelayinrosyorgoldenstreaks，savewherewhite-wingedvesselsglidedhitherandthither，likesomanyspirits，andlittlegoldenstarstwinkledthroughtheglow，andlookeddownatthemselvesastheytrembledinthewater。

TomandEvawereseatedonalittlemossyseat，inanarbor，atthefootofthegarden。ItwasSundayevening，andEva’sBiblelayopenonherknee。Sheread，—“AndIsawaseaofglass，mingledwithfire。”

“Tom，”saidEva，suddenlystopping，andpointingtothelake，“there’tis。”

“What，MissEva？”

“Don’tyousee，—there？”saidthechild，pointingtotheglassywater，which，asitroseandfell，reflectedthegoldenglowofthesky。“There’sa‘seaofglass，mingledwithfire。’”

“Trueenough，MissEva，”saidTom；andTomsang—

“O，hadIthewingsofthemorning，

I’dflyawaytoCanaan’sshore；

Brightangelsshouldconveymehome，

TothenewJerusalem。”

“WheredoyousupposenewJerusalemis，UncleTom？”saidEva。

“O，upintheclouds，MissEva。”

“ThenIthinkIseeit，”saidEva。“Lookinthoseclouds！—theylooklikegreatgatesofpearl；andyoucanseebeyondthem—far，faroff—it’sallgold。Tom，singabout‘spiritsbright。’”

Tomsungthewordsofawell-knownMethodisthymn，

“Iseeabandofspiritsbright，

Thattastethegloriesthere；

Theyallarerobedinspotlesswhite，

Andconqueringpalmstheybear。”

“UncleTom，I’veseenthem，”saidEva。

Tomhadnodoubtofitatall；itdidnotsurprisehimintheleast。IfEvahadtoldhimshehadbeentoheaven，hewouldhavethoughtitentirelyprobable。

“Theycometomesometimesinmysleep，thosespirits；”andEva’seyesgrewdreamy，andshehummed，inalowvoice，

“Theyareallrobedinspotlesswhite，

Andconqueringpalmstheybear。”

“UncleTom，”saidEva，“I’mgoingthere。”

“Where，MissEva？”

Thechildrose，andpointedherlittlehandtothesky；theglowofeveninglithergoldenhairandflushedcheekwithakindofunearthlyradiance，andhereyeswerebentearnestlyontheskies。

“I’mgoingthere，”shesaid，“tothespiritsbright，Tom；I’mgoing，beforelong。”

Thefaithfuloldheartfeltasuddenthrust；andTomthoughthowoftenhehadnoticed，withinsixmonths，thatEva’slittlehandshadgrownthinner，andherskinmoretransparent，andherbreathshorter；andhow，whensheranorplayedinthegarden，assheoncecouldforhours，shebecamesoonsotiredandlanguid。HehadheardMissOpheliaspeakoftenofacough，thatallhermedicamentscouldnotcure；andevennowthatferventcheekandlittlehandwereburningwithhecticfever；andyetthethoughtthatEva’swordssuggestedhadnevercometohimtillnow。

HasthereeverbeenachildlikeEva？Yes，therehavebeen；buttheirnamesarealwaysongrave-stones，andtheirsweetsmiles，theirheavenlyeyes，theirsingularwordsandways，areamongtheburiedtreasuresofyearninghearts。Inhowmanyfamiliesdoyouhearthelegendthatallthegoodnessandgracesofthelivingarenothingtothepeculiarcharmsofonewhoisnot。Itisasifheavenhadanespecialbandofangels，whoseofficeitwastosojournforaseasonhere，andendeartothemthewaywardhumanheart，thattheymightbearitupwardwiththemintheirhomewardflight。Whenyouseethatdeep，spirituallightintheeye，—whenthelittlesoulrevealsitselfinwordssweeterandwiserthantheordinarywordsofchildren，—hopenottoretainthatchild；forthesealofheavenisonit，andthelightofimmortalitylooksoutfromitseyes。

Evenso，belovedEva！fairstarofthydwelling！Thouarepassingaway；buttheythatlovetheedearestknowitnot。

ThecolloquybetweenTomandEvawasinterruptedbyahastycallfromMissOphelia。

“Eva—Eva！—why，child，thedewisfalling；youmustn’tbeoutthere！”

EvaandTomhastenedin。

MissOpheliawasold，andskilledinthetacticsofnursing。ShewasfromNewEngland，andknewwellthefirstguilefulfootstepsofthatsoft，insidiousdisease，whichsweepsawaysomanyofthefairestandloveliest，and，beforeonefibreoflifeseemsbroken，sealsthemirrevocablyfordeath。

Shehadnotedtheslight，drycough，thedailybrighteningcheek；norcouldthelustreoftheeye，andtheairybuoyancybornoffever，deceiveher。

ShetriedtocommunicateherfearstoSt。Clare；buthethrewbackhersuggestionswitharestlesspetulance，unlikehisusualcarelessgood-humor。

“Don’tbecroaking，Cousin，—Ihateit！”hewouldsay；“don’tyouseethatthechildisonlygrowing。Childrenalwayslosestrengthwhentheygrowfast。”

“Butshehasthatcough！”

“O！nonsenseofthatcough！—itisnotanything。Shehastakenalittlecold，perhaps。”

“Well，thatwasjustthewayElizaJanewastaken，andEllenandMariaSanders。”

“O！stopthesehobgoblin’nurselegends。Youoldhandsgotsowise，thatachildcannotcough，orsneeze，butyouseedesperationandruinathand。Onlytakecareofthechild，keepherfromthenightair，anddon’tletherplaytoohard，andshe’lldowellenough。”

SoSt。Claresaid；buthegrewnervousandrestless。HewatchedEvafeverishlydaybyday，asmightbetoldbythefrequencywithwhichherepeatedoverthat“thechildwasquitewell”—thattherewasn’tanythinginthatcough，—itwasonlysomelittlestomachaffection，suchaschildrenoftenhad。Buthekeptbyhermorethanbefore，tookheroftenertoridewithhim，broughthomeeveryfewdayssomereceiptorstrengtheningmixture，—“not，”hesaid，“thatthechildneededit，butthenitwouldnotdoheranyharm。”

Ifitmustbetold，thethingthatstruckadeeperpangtohisheartthananythingelsewasthedailyincreasingmaturityofthechild’smindandfeelings。Whilestillretainingallachild’sfancifulgraces，yetsheoftendropped，unconsciously，wordsofsuchareachofthought，andstrangeunworldlywisdom，thattheyseemedtobeaninspiration。Atsuchtimes，St。Clarewouldfeelasuddenthrill，andclaspherinhisarms，asifthatfondclaspcouldsaveher；andhisheartroseupwithwilddeterminationtokeepher，nevertolethergo。

Thechild’swholeheartandsoulseemedabsorbedinworksofloveandkindness。Impulsivelygenerousshehadalwaysbeen；buttherewasatouchingandwomanlythoughtfulnessabouthernow，thateveryonenoticed。ShestilllovedtoplaywithTopsy，andthevariouscoloredchildren；butshenowseemedratheraspectatorthananactoroftheirplays，andshewouldsitforhalfanhouratatime，laughingattheoddtricksofTopsy，—andthenashadowwouldseemtopassacrossherface，hereyesgrewmisty，andherthoughtswereafar。

“Mamma，”shesaid，suddenly，tohermother，oneday，“whydon’tweteachourservantstoread？”

“Whataquestionchild！Peopleneverdo。”

“Whydon’tthey？”saidEva。

“Becauseitisnouseforthemtoread。Itdon’thelpthemtoworkanybetter，andtheyarenotmadeforanythingelse。”

“ButtheyoughttoreadtheBible，mamma，tolearnGod’swill。”

“O！theycangetthatreadtothemalltheyneed。”

“Itseemstome，mamma，theBibleisforeveryonetoreadthemselves。Theyneeditagreatmanytimeswhenthereisnobodytoreadit。”

“Eva，youareanoddchild，”saidhermother。

“MissOpheliahastaughtTopsytoread，”continuedEva。

“Yes，andyouseehowmuchgooditdoes。TopsyistheworstcreatureIeversaw！”

“Here’spoorMammy！”saidEva。“ShedoeslovetheBiblesomuch，andwishessoshecouldread！AndwhatwillshedowhenIcan’treadtoher？”

Mariewasbusy，turningoverthecontentsofadrawer，assheanswered，

“Well，ofcourse，byandby，Eva，youwillhaveotherthingstothinkofbesidesreadingtheBibleroundtoservants。Notbutthatisveryproper；I’vedoneitmyself，whenIhadhealth。Butwhenyoucometobedressingandgoingintocompany，youwon’thavetime。Seehere！”sheadded，“thesejewelsI’mgoingtogiveyouwhenyoucomeout。Iworethemtomyfirstball。Icantellyou，Eva，Imadeasensation。”

Evatookthejewel-case，andliftedfromitadiamondnecklace。Herlarge，thoughtfuleyesrestedonthem，butitwasplainherthoughtswereelsewhere。

“Howsoberyoulookchild！”saidMarie。

“Aretheseworthagreatdealofmoney，mamma？”

“Tobesure，theyare。FathersenttoFranceforthem。Theyareworthasmallfortune。”

“IwishIhadthem，”saidEva，“todowhatIpleasedwith！”

“Whatwouldyoudowiththem？”

“I’dsellthem，andbuyaplaceinthefreestates，andtakeallourpeoplethere，andhireteachers，toteachthemtoreadandwrite。”

Evawascutshortbyhermother’slaughing。

“Setupaboarding-school！Wouldn’tyouteachthemtoplayonthepiano，andpaintonvelvet？”

“I’dteachthemtoreadtheirownBible，andwritetheirownletters，andreadlettersthatarewrittentothem，”saidEva，steadily。“Iknow，mamma，itdoescomeveryhardonthemthattheycan’tdothesethings。Tomfeelsit—Mammydoes，—agreatmanyofthemdo。Ithinkit’swrong。”

“Come，come，Eva；youareonlyachild！Youdon’tknowanythingaboutthesethings，”saidMarie；“besides，yourtalkingmakesmyheadache。”

Mariealwayshadaheadacheonhandforanyconversationthatdidnotexactlysuither。

Evastoleaway；butafterthat，sheassiduouslygaveMammyreadinglessons。

Henrique

Aboutthistime，St。Clare’sbrotherAlfred，withhiseldestson，aboyoftwelve，spentadayortwowiththefamilyatthelake。

Nosightcouldbemoresingularandbeautifulthanthatofthesetwinbrothers。Nature，insteadofinstitutingresemblancesbetweenthem，hadmadethemoppositesoneverypoint；yetamysterioustieseemedtounitetheminacloserfriendshipthanordinary。

Theyusedtosaunter，arminarm，upanddownthealleysandwalksofthegarden。Augustine，withhisblueeyesandgoldenhair，hisethereallyflexibleformandvivaciousfeatures；andAlfred，dark-eyed，withhaughtyRomanprofile，firmly-knitlimbs，anddecidedbearing。Theywerealwaysabusingeachother’sopinionsandpractices，andyetneverawhitthelessabsorbedineachother’ssociety；infact，theverycontrarietyseemedtounitethem，liketheattractionbetweenoppositepolesofthemagnet。

Henrique，theeldestsonofAlfred，wasanoble，dark-eyed，princelyboy，fullofvivacityandspirit；and，fromthefirstmomentofintroduction，seemedtobeperfectlyfascinatedbythespirituellegracesofhiscousinEvangeline。

Evahadalittlepetpony，ofasnowywhiteness。Itwaseasyasacradle，andasgentleasitslittlemistress；andthisponywasnowbroughtuptothebackverandahbyTom，whilealittlemulattoboyofaboutthirteenledalongasmallblackArabian，whichhadjustbeenimported，atagreatexpense，forHenrique。

Henriquehadaboy’sprideinhisnewpossession；and，asheadvancedandtookthereinsoutofthehandsofhislittlegroom，helookedcarefullyoverhim，andhisbrowdarkened。

“What’sthis，Dodo，youlittlelazydog！youhaven’trubbedmyhorsedown，thismorning。”

“Yes，Mas’r，”saidDodo，submissively；“hegotthatdustonhisownself。”

“Yourascal，shutyourmouth！”saidHenrique，violentlyraisinghisriding-whip。“Howdareyouspeak？”

Theboywasahandsome，bright-eyedmulatto，ofjustHenrique’ssize，andhiscurlinghairhungroundahigh，boldforehead。Hehadwhitebloodinhisveins，ascouldbeseenbythequickflushinhischeek，andthesparkleofhiseye，asheeagerlytriedtospeak。

“Mas’rHenrique！—”hebegan。

Henriquestruckhimacrossthefacewithhisriding-whip，and，seizingoneofhisarms，forcedhimontohisknees，andbeathimtillhewasoutofbreath。

“There，youimpudentdog！NowwillyoulearnnottoanswerbackwhenIspeaktoyou？Takethehorseback，andcleanhimproperly。I’llteachyouyourplace！”

“YoungMas’r，”saidTom，“Ispecswhathewasgwinetosaywas，thatthehorsewouldrollwhenhewasbringinghimupfromthestable；he’ssofullofspirits，—that’sthewayhegotthatdirtonhim；Ilookedtohiscleaning。”

“Youholdyourtonguetillyou’reaskedtospeak！”saidHenrique，turningonhisheel，andwalkingupthestepstospeaktoEva，whostoodinherriding-dress。

“DearCousin，I’msorrythisstupidfellowhaskeptyouwaiting，”hesaid。“Let’ssitdownhere，onthisseattilltheycome。What’sthematter，Cousin？—youlooksober。”

“HowcouldyoubesocruelandwickedtopoorDodo？”askedEva。

“Cruel，—wicked！”saidtheboy，withunaffectedsurprise。“Whatdoyoumean，dearEva？”

“Idon’twantyoutocallmedearEva，whenyoudoso，”saidEva。

“DearCousin，youdon’tknowDodo；it’stheonlywaytomanagehim，he’ssofullofliesandexcuses。Theonlywayistoputhimdownatonce，—notlethimopenhismouth；that’sthewaypapamanages。”

“ButUncleTomsaiditwasanaccident，andhenevertellswhatisn’ttrue。”

“He’sanuncommonoldnigger，then！”saidHenrique。“Dodowilllieasfastashecanspeak。”

“Youfrightenhimintodeceiving，ifyoutreathimso。”

“Why，Eva，you’vereallytakensuchafancytoDodo，thatIshallbejealous。”

“Butyoubeathim，—andhedidn’tdeserveit。”

“O，well，itmaygoforsometimewhenhedoes，anddon’tgetit。AfewcutsnevercomeamisswithDodo，—he’saregularspirit，Icantellyou；butIwon’tbeathimagainbeforeyou，ifittroublesyou。”

Evawasnotsatisfied，butfounditinvaintotrytomakeherhandsomecousinunderstandherfeelings。

Dodosoonappeared，withthehorses。

“Well，Dodo，you’vedoneprettywell，thistime，”saidhisyoungmaster，withamoregraciousair。“Come，now，andholdMissEva’shorsewhileIputherontothesaddle。”

DodocameandstoodbyEva’spony。Hisfacewastroubled；hiseyeslookedasifhehadbeencrying。

Henrique，whovaluedhimselfonhisgentlemanlyadroitnessinallmattersofgallantry，soonhadhisfaircousininthesaddle，and，gatheringthereins，placedtheminherhands。

ButEvabenttotheothersideofthehorse，whereDodowasstanding，andsaid，asherelinquishedthereins，—“That’sagoodboy，Dodo；—thankyou！”

Dodolookedupinamazementintothesweetyoungface；thebloodrushedtohischeeks，andthetearstohiseyes。

“Here，Dodo，”saidhismaster，imperiously。

Dodosprangandheldthehorse，whilehismastermounted。

“There’sapicayuneforyoutobuycandywith，Dodo，”saidHenrique；“gogetsome。”

AndHenriquecantereddownthewalkafterEva。Dodostoodlookingafterthetwochildren。Onehadgivenhimmoney；andonehadgivenhimwhathewantedfarmore，—akindword，kindlyspoken。Dodohadbeenonlyafewmonthsawayfromhismother。Hismasterhadboughthimataslavewarehouse，forhishandsomeface，tobeamatchtothehandsomepony；andhewasnowgettinghisbreakingin，atthehandsofhisyoungmaster。

ThesceneofthebeatinghadbeenwitnessedbythetwobrothersSt。Clare，fromanotherpartofthegarden。

Augustine’scheekflushed；butheonlyobserved，withhisusualsarcasticcarelessness。

“Isupposethat’swhatwemaycallrepublicaneducation，Alfred？”

“Henriqueisadevilofafellow，whenhisblood’sup，”saidAlfred，carelessly。

“Isupposeyouconsiderthisaninstructivepracticeforhim，”saidAugustine，drily。

“Icouldn’thelpit，ifIdidn’t。Henriqueisaregularlittletempest；—hismotherandIhavegivenhimup，longago。But，then，thatDodoisaperfectsprite，—noamountofwhippingcanhurthim。”

“AndthisbywayofteachingHenriquethefirstverseofarepublican’scatechism，‘Allmenarebornfreeandequal！’”

“Poh！”saidAlfred；“oneofTomJefferson’spiecesofFrenchsentimentandhumbug。It’sperfectlyridiculoustohavethatgoingtheroundsamongus，tothisday。”

“Ithinkitis，”saidSt。Clare，significantly。

“Because，”saidAlfred，“wecanseeplainlyenoughthatallmenarenotbornfree，norbornequal；theyarebornanythingelse。Formypart，Ithinkhalfthisrepublicantalksheerhumbug。Itistheeducated，theintelligent，thewealthy，therefined，whooughttohaveequalrightsandnotthecanaille。”

“Ifyoucankeepthecanailleofthatopinion，”saidAugustine。“Theytooktheirturnonce，inFrance。”

“Ofcourse，theymustbekeptdown，consistently，steadily，asIshould，”saidAlfred，settinghisfootharddownasifhewerestandingonsomebody。

“Itmakesaterribleslipwhentheygetup，”saidAugustine，—“inSt。Domingo，forinstance。”

“Poh！”saidAlfred，“we’lltakecareofthat，inthiscountry。Wemustsetourfaceagainstallthiseducating，elevatingtalk，thatisgettingaboutnow；thelowerclassmustnotbeeducated。”

“Thatispastprayingfor，”saidAugustine；“educatedtheywillbe，andwehaveonlytosayhow。Oursystemiseducatingtheminbarbarismandbrutality。Wearebreakingallhumanizingties，andmakingthembrutebeasts；and，iftheygettheupperhand，suchweshallfindthem。”

“Theyshallnevergettheupperhand！”saidAlfred。

“That’sright，”saidSt。Clare；“putonthesteam，fastendowntheescape-valve，andsitonit，andseewhereyou’llland。”

“Well，”saidAlfred，“wewillsee。I’mnotafraidtositontheescape-valve，aslongastheboilersarestrong，andthemachineryworkswell。”

“ThenoblesinLouisXVI。’stimethoughtjustso；andAustriaandPiusIX。thinksonow；and，somepleasantmorning，youmayallbecaughtuptomeeteachotherintheair，whentheboilersburst。”

“Diesdeclarabit，”saidAlfred，laughing。

“Itellyou，”saidAugustine，“ifthereisanythingthatisrevealedwiththestrengthofadivinelawinourtimes，itisthatthemassesaretorise，andtheunderclassbecometheupperone。”

“That’soneofyourredrepublicanhumbugs，Augustine！Whydidn’tyouevertaketothestump；—you’dmakeafamousstumporator！Well，IhopeIshallbedeadbeforethismillenniumofyourgreasymassescomeson。”

“Greasyornotgreasy，theywillgovernyou，whentheirtimecomes，”saidAugustine；“andtheywillbejustsuchrulersasyoumakethem。TheFrenchnoblessechosetohavethepeople‘sansculottes，’andtheyhad‘sansculotte’governorstotheirhearts’content。ThepeopleofHayti—”

“O，come，Augustine！asifwehadn’thadenoughofthatabominable，contemptibleHayti！1TheHaytienswerenotAngloSaxons；iftheyhadbeentherewouldhavebeenanotherstory。TheAngloSaxonisthedominantraceoftheworld，andistobeso。”

“Well，thereisaprettyfairinfusionofAngloSaxonbloodamongourslaves，now，”saidAugustine。“ThereareplentyamongthemwhohaveonlyenoughoftheAfricantogiveasortoftropicalwarmthandfervortoourcalculatingfirmnessandforesight。IfevertheSanDomingohourcomes，AngloSaxonbloodwillleadontheday。Sonsofwhitefathers，withallourhaughtyfeelingsburningintheirveins，willnotalwaysbeboughtandsoldandtraded。Theywillrise，andraisewiththemtheirmother’srace。”

“Stuff！—nonsense！”

“Well，”saidAugustine，“theregoesanoldsayingtothiseffect，‘AsitwasinthedaysofNoahsoshallitbe；—theyate，theydrank，theyplanted，theybuilded，andknewnottillthefloodcameandtookthem。’”

“Onthewhole，Augustine，Ithinkyourtalentsmightdoforacircuitrider，”saidAlfred，laughing。“Neveryoufearforus；possessionisourninepoints。We’vegotthepower。Thissubjectrace，”saidhe，stampingfirmly，“isdownandshallstaydown！Wehaveenergyenoughtomanageourownpowder。”

“SonstrainedlikeyourHenriquewillbegrandguardiansofyourpowder-magazines，”saidAugustine，—“socoolandself-possessed！Theproverbsays，“‘Theythatcannotgovernthemselvescannotgovernothers。’”

“Thereisatroublethere”saidAlfred，thoughtfully；“there’snodoubtthatoursystemisadifficultonetotrainchildrenunder。Itgivestoofreescopetothepassions，altogether，which，inourclimate，arehotenough。IfindtroublewithHenrique。Theboyisgenerousandwarm-hearted，butaperfectfire-crackerwhenexcited。IbelieveIshallsendhimNorthforhiseducation，whereobedienceismorefashionable，andwherehewillassociatemorewithequals，andlesswithdependents。”

“Sincetrainingchildrenisthestapleworkofthehumanrace，”saidAugustine，“Ishouldthinkitsomethingofaconsiderationthatoursystemdoesnotworkwellthere。”

“Itdoesnotforsomethings，”saidAlfred；“forothers，again，itdoes。Itmakesboysmanlyandcourageous；andtheveryvicesofanabjectracetendtostrengtheninthemtheoppositevirtues。IthinkHenrique，now，hasakeenersenseofthebeautyoftruth，fromseeinglyinganddeceptiontheuniversalbadgeofslavery。”

“AChristian-likeviewofthesubject，certainly！”saidAugustine。

“It’strue，Christian-likeornot；andisaboutasChristian-likeasmostotherthingsintheworld，”saidAlfred。

“Thatmaybe，”saidSt。Clare。

“Well，there’snouseintalking，Augustine。Ibelievewe’vebeenroundandroundthisoldtrackfivehundredtimes，moreorless。Whatdoyousaytoagameofbackgammon？”

Thetwobrothersranuptheverandahsteps，andweresoonseatedatalightbamboostand，withthebackgammon-boardbetweenthem。Astheyweresettingtheirmen，Alfredsaid，

“Itellyou，Augustine，ifIthoughtasyoudo，Ishoulddosomething。”

“Idaresayyouwould，—youareoneofthedoingsort，—butwhat？”

“Why，elevateyourownservants，foraspecimen，”saidAlfred，withahalf-scornfulsmile。

“YoumightaswellsetMount？tnaonthemflat，andtellthemtostandupunderit，astellmetoelevatemyservantsunderallthesuperincumbentmassofsocietyuponthem。Onemancandonothing，againstthewholeactionofacommunity。Education，todoanything，mustbeastateeducation；ortheremustbeenoughagreedinittomakeacurrent。”

“Youtakethefirstthrow，”saidAlfred；andthebrothersweresoonlostinthegame，andheardnomoretillthescrapingofhorses’feetwasheardundertheverandah。

“Therecomethechildren，”saidAugustine，rising。“Lookhere，Alf！Didyoueverseeanythingsobeautiful？”And，intruth，itwasabeautifulsight。Henrique，withhisboldbrow，anddark，glossycurls，andglowingcheek，waslaughinggaylyashebenttowardshisfaircousin，astheycameon。Shewasdressedinablueridingdress，withacapofthesamecolor。Exercisehadgivenabrillianthuetohercheeks，andheightenedtheeffectofhersingularlytransparentskin，andgoldenhair。

“Goodheavens！whatperfectlydazzlingbeauty！”saidAlfred。“Itellyou，Auguste，won’tshemakesomeheartsache，oneofthesedays？”

“Shewill，tootruly，—GodknowsI’mafraidso！”saidSt。Clare，inatoneofsuddenbitterness，ashehurrieddowntotakeheroffherhorse。

“Evadarling！you’renotmuchtired？”hesaid，asheclaspedherinhisarms。

“No，papa，”saidthechild；buthershort，hardbreathingalarmedherfather。

“Howcouldyouridesofast，dear？—youknowit’sbadforyou。”

“Ifeltsowell，papa，andlikeditsomuch，Iforgot。”

St。Clarecarriedherinhisarmsintotheparlor，andlaidheronthesofa。

“Henrique，youmustbecarefulofEva，”saidhe；“youmustn’tridefastwithher。”

“I’lltakeherundermycare，”saidHenrique，seatinghimselfbythesofa，andtakingEva’shand。

Evasoonfoundherselfmuchbetter。Herfatheranduncleresumedtheirgame，andthechildrenwerelefttogether。

“Doyouknow，Eva，I’msorrypapaisonlygoingtostaytwodayshere，andthenIshan’tseeyouagainforeversolong！IfIstaywithyou，I’dtrytobegood，andnotbecrosstoDodo，andsoon。Idon’tmeantotreatDodoill；but，youknow，I’vegotsuchaquicktemper。I’mnotreallybadtohim，though。Igivehimapicayune，nowandthen；andyouseehedresseswell。Ithink，onthewhole，Dodo’sprettywelloff。”

“Wouldyouthinkyouwerewelloff，iftherewerenotonecreatureintheworldnearyoutoloveyou？”

“I？—Well，ofcoursenot。”

“AndyouhavetakenDodoawayfromallthefriendsheeverhad，andnowhehasnotacreaturetolovehim；—nobodycanbegoodthatway。”

“Well，Ican’thelpit，asIknowof。Ican’tgethismotherandIcan’tlovehimmyself，noranybodyelse，asIknowof。”

“Whycan’tyou？”saidEva。

“LoveDodo！Why，Eva，youwouldn’thaveme！Imaylikehimwellenough；butyoudon’tloveyourservants。”

“Ido，indeed。”

“Howodd！”

“Don’ttheBiblesaywemustloveeverybody？”

“O，theBible！Tobesure，itsaysagreatmanysuchthings；but，then，nobodyeverthinksofdoingthem，—youknow，Eva，nobodydoes。”

Evadidnotspeak；hereyeswerefixedandthoughtfulforafewmoments。

“Atanyrate，”shesaid，“dearCousin，dolovepoorDodo，andbekindtohim，formysake！”

“Icouldloveanything，foryoursake，dearCousin；forIreallythinkyouaretheloveliestcreaturethatIeversaw！”AndHenriquespokewithanearnestnessthatflushedhishandsomeface。Evareceiveditwithperfectsimplicity，withoutevenachangeoffeature；merelysaying，“I’mgladyoufeelso，dearHenrique！Ihopeyouwillremember。”

Thedinner-bellputanendtotheinterview。

1InAugust1791，asaconsequenceoftheFrenchRevolution，theblackslavesandmulattoesonHaitiroseinrevoltagainstthewhites，andintheperiodofturmoilthatfollowedenormouscrueltieswerepractisedbybothsides。The“Emperor”Dessalines，cometopowerin1804，massacredallthewhitesontheisland。HaitianbloodshedbecameanargumenttoshowthebarbarousnatureoftheNegro，adoctrineWendellPhillipssoughttocombatinhiscelebratedlectureonToussaintL’Ouverture。

Foreshadowings

Twodaysafterthis，AlfredSt。ClareandAugustineparted；andEva，whohadbeenstimulated，bythesocietyofheryoungcousin，toexertionsbeyondherstrength，begantofailrapidly。St。Clarewasatlastwillingtocallinmedicaladvice，—athingfromwhichhehadalwaysshrunk，becauseitwastheadmissionofanunwelcometruth。

But，foradayortwo，Evawassounwellastobeconfinedtothehouse；andthedoctorwascalled。

MarieSt。Clarehadtakennonoticeofthechild’sgraduallydecayinghealthandstrength，becauseshewascompletelyabsorbedinstudyingouttwoorthreenewformsofdiseasetowhichshebelievedsheherselfwasavictim。ItwasthefirstprincipleofMarie’sbeliefthatnobodyeverwasorcouldbesogreatasuffererasherself；and，therefore，shealwaysrepelledquiteindignantlyanysuggestionthatanyonearoundhercouldbesick。Shewasalwayssure，insuchacase，thatitwasnothingbutlaziness，orwantofenergy；andthat，iftheyhadhadthesufferingshehad，theywouldsoonknowthedifference。

MissOpheliahadseveraltimestriedtoawakenhermaternalfearsaboutEva；buttonoavail。

“Idon’tseeasanythingailsthechild，”shewouldsay；“sherunsabout，andplays。”

“Butshehasacough。”

“Cough！youdon’tneedtotellmeaboutacough。I’vealwaysbeensubjecttoacough，allmydays。WhenIwasofEva’sage，theythoughtIwasinaconsumption。Nightafternight，Mammyusedtositupwithme。O！Eva’scoughisnotanything。”

“Butshegetsweak，andisshort-breathed。”

“Law！I’vehadthat，yearsandyears；it’sonlyanervousaffection。”

“Butshesweatsso，nights！”

“Well，Ihave，thesetenyears。Veryoften，nightafternight，myclotheswillbewringingwet。Therewon’tbeadrythreadinmynight-clothesandthesheetswillbesothatMammyhastohangthemuptodry！Evadoesn’tsweatanythinglikethat！”

MissOpheliashuthermouthforaseason。But，nowthatEvawasfairlyandvisiblyprostrated，andadoctorcalled，Marie，allonasudden，tookanewturn。

“Sheknewit，”shesaid；“shealwaysfeltit，thatshewasdestinedtobethemostmiserableofmothers。Hereshewas，withherwretchedhealth，andheronlydarlingchildgoingdowntothegravebeforehereyes；”—andMarieroutedupMammynights，andrumpussedandscolded，withmoreenergythanever，allday，onthestrengthofthisnewmisery。

“MydearMarie，don’ttalkso！”saidSt。Clare。Yououghtnottogiveupthecaseso，atonce。”

“Youhavenotamother’sfeelings，St。Clare！Younevercouldunderstandme！—youdon’tnow。”

“Butdon’ttalkso，asifitwereagonecase！”

“Ican’ttakeitasindifferentlyasyoucan，St。Clare。Ifyoudon’tfeelwhenyouronlychildisinthisalarmingstate，Ido。It’sablowtoomuchforme，withallIwasbearingbefore。”

“It’strue，”saidSt。Clare，“thatEvaisverydelicate，thatIalwaysknew；andthatshehasgrownsorapidlyastoexhaustherstrength；andthathersituationiscritical。Butjustnowsheisonlyprostratedbytheheatoftheweather，andbytheexcitementofhercousin’svisit，andtheexertionsshemade。Thephysiciansaysthereisroomforhope。”

“Well，ofcourse，ifyoucanlookonthebrightside，praydo；it’samercyifpeoplehaven’tsensitivefeelings，inthisworld。IamsureIwishIdidn’tfeelasIdo；itonlymakesmecompletelywretched！IwishIcouldbeaseasyastherestofyou！”

Andthe“restofthem”hadgoodreasontobreathethesameprayer，forMarieparadedhernewmiseryasthereasonandapologyforallsortsofinflictionsoneveryoneabouther。Everywordthatwasspokenbyanybody，everythingthatwasdoneorwasnotdoneeverywhere，wasonlyanewproofthatshewassurroundedbyhard-hearted，insensiblebeings，whowereunmindfulofherpeculiarsorrows。PoorEvaheardsomeofthesespeeches；andnearlycriedherlittleeyesout，inpityforhermamma，andinsorrowthatsheshouldmakehersomuchdistress。

Inaweekortwo，therewasagreatimprovementofsymptoms，—oneofthosedeceitfullulls，bywhichherinexorablediseasesooftenbeguilestheanxiousheart，evenonthevergeofthegrave。Eva’sstepwasagaininthegarden，—inthebalconies；sheplayedandlaughedagain，—andherfather，inatransport，declaredthattheyshouldsoonhaveherasheartyasanybody。MissOpheliaandthephysicianalonefeltnoencouragementfromthisillusivetruce。Therewasoneotherheart，too，thatfeltthesamecertainty，andthatwasthelittleheartofEva。Whatisitthatsometimesspeaksinthesoulsocalmly，soclearly，thatitsearthlytimeisshort？Isitthesecretinstinctofdecayingnature，orthesoul’simpulsivethrob，asimmortalitydrawson？Beitwhatitmay，itrestedintheheartofEva，acalm，sweet，propheticcertaintythatHeavenwasnear；calmasthelightofsunset，sweetasthebrightstillnessofautumn，thereherlittleheartreposed，onlytroubledbysorrowforthosewholovedhersodearly。

Forthechild，thoughnursedsotenderly，andthoughlifewasunfoldingbeforeherwitheverybrightnessthatloveandwealthcouldgive，hadnoregretforherselfindying。

Inthatbookwhichsheandhersimpleoldfriendhadreadsomuchtogether，shehadseenandtakentoheryounghearttheimageofonewholovedthelittlechild；and，asshegazedandmused，Hehadceasedtobeanimageandapictureofthedistantpast，andcometobealiving，all-surroundingreality。Hisloveenfoldedherchildishheartwithmorethanmortaltenderness；anditwastoHim，shesaid，shewasgoing，andtohishome。

Butherheartyearnedwithsadtendernessforallthatshewastoleavebehind。Herfathermost，—forEva，thoughsheneverdistinctlythoughtso，hadaninstinctiveperceptionthatshewasmoreinhisheartthananyother。Shelovedhermotherbecauseshewassolovingacreature，andalltheselfishnessthatshehadseeninheronlysaddenedandperplexedher；forshehadachild’simplicittrustthathermothercouldnotdowrong。TherewassomethingaboutherthatEvanevercouldmakeout；andshealwayssmootheditoverwiththinkingthat，afterall，itwasmamma，andshelovedherverydearlyindeed。

Shefelt，too，forthosefond，faithfulservants，towhomshewasasdaylightandsunshine。Childrendonotusuallygeneralize；butEvawasanuncommonlymaturechild，andthethingsthatshehadwitnessedoftheevilsofthesystemunderwhichtheywerelivinghadfallen，onebyone，intothedepthsofherthoughtful，ponderingheart。Shehadvaguelongingstodosomethingforthem，—toblessandsavenotonlythem，butallintheircondition，—longingsthatcontrastedsadlywiththefeeblenessofherlittleframe。

“UncleTom，”shesaid，oneday，whenshewasreadingtoherfriend，“IcanunderstandwhyJesuswantedtodieforus。”

“Why，MissEva？”

“BecauseI’vefeltso，too。”

“WhatisitMissEva？—Idon’tunderstand。”

“Ican’ttellyou；but，whenIsawthosepoorcreaturesontheboat，youknow，whenyoucameupandI，—somehadlosttheirmothers，andsometheirhusbands，andsomemotherscriedfortheirlittlechildren—andwhenIheardaboutpoorPrue，—oh，wasn’tthatdreadful！—andagreatmanyothertimes，I’vefeltthatIwouldbegladtodie，ifmydyingcouldstopallthismisery。Iwoulddieforthem，Tom，ifIcould，”saidthechild，earnestly，layingherlittlethinhandonhis。

Tomlookedatthechildwithawe；andwhenshe，hearingherfather’svoice，glidedaway，hewipedhiseyesmanytimes，ashelookedafterher。

“It’sjestnousetryin’tokeepMissEvahere，”hesaidtoMammy，whomhemetamomentafter。“She’sgottheLord’smarkinherforehead。”

“Ah，yes，yes，”saidMammy，raisingherhands；“I’veallerssaidso。Shewasn’tneverlikeachildthat’stolive—therewasallerssomethingdeepinhereyes。I’vetoldMississo，manythetime；it’sacomin’true，—weallseesit，—dear，little，blessedlamb！”

Evacametrippinguptheverandahstepstoherfather。Itwaslateintheafternoon，andtheraysofthesunformedakindofglorybehindher，asshecameforwardinherwhitedress，withhergoldenhairandglowingcheeks，hereyesunnaturallybrightwiththeslowfeverthatburnedinherveins。

St。Clarehadcalledhertoshowastatuettethathehadbeenbuyingforher；butherappearance，asshecameon，impressedhimsuddenlyandpainfully。Thereisakindofbeautysointense，yetsofragile，thatwecannotbeartolookatit。Herfatherfoldedhersuddenlyinhisarms，andalmostforgotwhathewasgoingtotellher。

“Eva，dear，youarebetternow-a-days，—areyounot？”

“Papa，”saidEva，withsuddenfirmness“I’vehadthingsIwantedtosaytoyou，agreatwhile。Iwanttosaythemnow，beforeIgetweaker。”

St。ClaretrembledasEvaseatedherselfinhislap。Shelaidherheadonhisbosom，andsaid，

“It’sallnouse，papa，tokeepittomyselfanylonger。ThetimeiscomingthatIamgoingtoleaveyou。Iamgoing，andnevertocomeback！”andEvasobbed。

“O，now，mydearlittleEva！”saidSt。Clare，tremblingashespoke，butspeakingcheerfully，“you’vegotnervousandlow-spirited；youmustn’tindulgesuchgloomythoughts。Seehere，I’veboughtastatuetteforyou！”

“No，papa，”saidEva，puttingitgentlyaway，“don’tdeceiveyourself！—Iamnotanybetter，Iknowitperfectlywell，—andIamgoing，beforelong。Iamnotnervous，—Iamnotlow-spirited。Ifitwerenotforyou，papa，andmyfriends，Ishouldbeperfectlyhappy。Iwanttogo，—Ilongtogo！”

“Why，dearchild，whathasmadeyourpoorlittleheartsosad？Youhavehadeverything，tomakeyouhappy，thatcouldbegivenyou。”

“Ihadratherbeinheaven；though，onlyformyfriends’sake，Iwouldbewillingtolive。Thereareagreatmanythingsherethatmakemesad，thatseemdreadfultome；Ihadratherbethere；butIdon’twanttoleaveyou，—italmostbreaksmyheart！”

“Whatmakesyousad，andseemsdreadful，Eva？”

“O，thingsthataredone，anddoneallthetime。Ifeelsadforourpoorpeople；theylovemedearly，andtheyareallgoodandkindtome。Iwish，papa，theywereallfree。”

“Why，Eva，child，don’tyouthinktheyarewellenoughoffnow？”

“O，but，papa，ifanythingshouldhappentoyou，whatwouldbecomeofthem？Thereareveryfewmenlikeyou，papa。UncleAlfredisn’tlikeyou，andmammaisn’t；andthen，thinkofpooroldPrue’sowners！Whathorridthingspeopledo，andcando！”andEvashuddered。

“Mydearchild，youaretoosensitive。I’msorryIeverletyouhearsuchstories。”

“O，that’swhattroublesme，papa。Youwantmetolivesohappy，andnevertohaveanypain，—neversufferanything，—notevenhearasadstory，whenotherpoorcreatureshavenothingbutpainandsorrow，antheirlives；—itseemsselfish。Ioughttoknowsuchthings，Ioughttofeelaboutthem！Suchthingsalwayssunkintomyheart；theywentdowndeep；I’vethoughtandthoughtaboutthem。Papa，isn’tthereanywaytohaveallslavesmadefree？”

“That’sadifficultquestion，dearest。There’snodoubtthatthiswayisaverybadone；agreatmanypeoplethinkso；IdomyselfIheartilywishthattherewerenotaslaveintheland；but，then，Idon’tknowwhatistobedoneaboutit！”

“Papa，youaresuchagoodman，andsonoble，andkind，andyoualwayshaveawayofsayingthingsthatissopleasant，couldn’tyougoallroundandtrytopersuadepeopletodorightaboutthis？WhenIamdead，papa，thenyouwillthinkofme，anddoitformysake。Iwoulddoit，ifIcould。”

“Whenyouaredead，Eva，”saidSt。Clare，passionately。“O，child，don’ttalktomeso！YouareallIhaveonearth。”

“PooroldPrue’schildwasallthatshehad，—andyetshehadtohearitcrying，andshecouldn’thelpit！Papa，thesepoorcreatureslovetheirchildrenasmuchasyoudome。O！dosomethingforthem！There’spoorMammylovesherchildren；I’veseenhercrywhenshetalkedaboutthem。AndTomloveshischildren；andit’sdreadful，papa，thatsuchthingsarehappening，allthetime！”

“There，there，darling，”saidSt。Clare，soothingly；“onlydon’tdistressyourself，don’ttalkofdying，andIwilldoanythingyouwish。”

“Andpromiseme，dearfather，thatTomshallhavehisfreedomassoonas”—shestopped，andsaid，inahesitatingtone—“Iamgone！”

“Yes，dear，Iwilldoanythingintheworld，—anythingyoucouldaskmeto。”

“Dearpapa，”saidthechild，layingherburningcheekagainsthis，“howIwishwecouldgotogether！”

“Where，dearest？”saidSt。Clare。

“ToourSaviour’shome；it’ssosweetandpeacefulthere—itisallsolovingthere！”Thechildspokeunconsciously，asofaplacewhereshehadoftenbeen。“Don’tyouwanttogo，papa？”shesaid。

St。Claredrewherclosertohim，butwassilent。

“Youwillcometome，”saidthechild，speakinginavoiceofcalmcertaintywhichsheoftenusedunconsciously。

“Ishallcomeafteryou。Ishallnotforgetyou。”

Theshadowsofthesolemneveningclosedroundthemdeeperanddeeper，asSt。Claresatsilentlyholdingthelittlefrailformtohisbosom。Hesawnomorethedeepeyes，butthevoicecameoverhimasaspiritvoice，and，asinasortofjudgmentvision，hiswholepastliferoseinamomentbeforehiseyes:hismother’sprayersandhymns；hisownearlyyearningsandaspiringsforgood；and，betweenthemandthishour，yearsofworldlinessandscepticism，andwhatmancallsrespectableliving。Wecanthinkmuch，verymuch，inamoment。St。Claresawandfeltmanythings，butspokenothing；and，asitgrewdarker，hetookhischildtoherbed-room；and，whenshewaspreparedforrest；hesentawaytheattendants，androckedherinhisarms，andsungtohertillshewasasleep。

Chapter25

TheLittleEvangelist

ItwasSundayafternoon。St。Clarewasstretchedonabambooloungeintheverandah，solacinghimselfwithacigar。Marielayreclinedonasofa，oppositethewindowopeningontheverandah，closelysecluded，underanawningoftransparentgauze，fromtheoutragesofthemosquitos，andlanguidlyholdinginherhandanelegantlyboundprayer-book。ShewasholdingitbecauseitwasSunday，andsheimaginedshehadbeenreadingit，—though，infact，shehadbeenonlytakingasuccessionofshortnaps，withitopeninherhand。

MissOphelia，who，aftersomerummaging，hadhuntedupasmallMethodistmeetingwithinridingdistance，hadgoneout，withTomasdriver，toattendit；andEvahadaccompaniedthem。

“Isay，Augustine，”saidMarieafterdozingawhile，“ImustsendtothecityaftermyoldDoctorPosey；I’msureI’vegotthecomplaintoftheheart。”

“Well；whyneedyousendforhim？ThisdoctorthatattendsEvaseemsskilful。”

“Iwouldnottrusthiminacriticalcase，”saidMarie；“andIthinkImaysaymineisbecomingso！I’vebeenthinkingofit，thesetwoorthreenightspast；Ihavesuchdistressingpains，andsuchstrangefeelings。”

“O，Marie，youareblue；Idon’tbelieveit’sheartcomplaint。”

“Idaresayyoudon’t，”saidMarie；“Iwaspreparedtoexpectthat。Youcanbealarmedenough，ifEvacoughs，orhastheleastthingthematterwithher；butyouneverthinkofme。”

“Ifit’sparticularlyagreeabletoyoutohaveheartdisease，why，I’lltryandmaintainyouhaveit，”saidSt。Clare；“Ididn’tknowitwas。”

“Well，Ionlyhopeyouwon’tbesorryforthis，whenit’stoolate！”saidMarie；“but，believeitornot，mydistressaboutEva，andtheexertionsIhavemadewiththatdearchild，havedevelopedwhatIhavelongsuspected。”

WhattheexertionswerewhichMariereferredto，itwouldhavebeendifficulttostate。St。Clarequietlymadethiscommentarytohimself，andwentonsmoking，likeahard-heartedwretchofamanashewas，tillacarriagedroveupbeforetheverandah，andEvaandMissOpheliaalighted。

MissOpheliamarchedstraighttoherownchamber，toputawayherbonnetandshawl，aswasalwayshermanner，beforeshespokeawordonanysubject；whileEvacame，atSt:Clare’scall，andwassittingonhisknee，givinghimanaccountoftheservicestheyhadheard。

TheysoonheardloudexclamationsfromMissOphelia’sroom，which，liketheoneinwhichtheyweresitting，openedontotheverandahandviolentreproofaddressedtosomebody。

“WhatnewwitchcrafthasTopsbeenbrewing？”askedSt。Clare。“Thatcommotionisofherraising，I’llbebound！”

And，inamomentafter，MissOphelia，inhighindignation，camedraggingtheculpritalong。

“Comeouthere，now！”shesaid。“Iwilltellyourmaster！”

“What’sthecasenow？”askedAugustine。

“Thecaseis，thatIcannotbeplaguedwiththischild，anylonger！It’spastallbearing；fleshandbloodcannotendureit！Here，Ilockedherup，andgaveherahymntostudy；andwhatdoesshedo，butspyoutwhereIputmykey，andhasgonetomybureau，andgotabonnet-trimming，andcutitalltopiecestomakedolls’jackets！Ineversawanythinglikeit，inmylife！”

“Itoldyou，Cousin，”saidMarie，“thatyou’dfindoutthatthesecreaturescan’tbebroughtupwithoutseverity。IfIhadmyway，now，”shesaid，lookingreproachfullyatSt。Clare，“I’dsendthatchildout，andhaveherthoroughlywhipped；I’dhaveherwhippedtillshecouldn’tstand！”

“Idon’tdoubtit，”saidSt。Clare。“Tellmeofthelovelyruleofwoman！Ineversawaboveadozenwomenthatwouldn’thalfkillahorse，oraservant，either，iftheyhadtheirownwaywiththem！—letaloneaman。”

“Thereisnouseinthisshilly-shallywayofyours，St。Clare！”saidMarie。“Cousinisawomanofsense，andsheseesitnow，asplainasIdo。”

MissOpheliahadjustthecapabilityofindignationthatbelongstothethorough-pacedhousekeeper，andthishadbeenprettyactivelyrousedbytheartificeandwastefulnessofthechild；infact，manyofmyladyreadersmustownthattheyshouldhavefeltjustsoinhercircumstances；butMarie’swordswentbeyondher，andshefeltlessheat。

“Iwouldn’thavethechildtreatedso，fortheworld，”shesaid；“but，Iamsure，Augustine，Idon’tknowwhattodo。I’vetaughtandtaught；I’vetalkedtillI’mtired；I’vewhippedher；I’vepunishedherineverywayIcanthinkof，andshe’sjustwhatshewasatfirst。”

“Comehere，Tops，youmonkey！”saidSt。Clare，callingthechilduptohim。

Topsycameup；herround，hardeyesglitteringandblinkingwithamixtureofapprehensivenessandtheirusualodddrollery。

“Whatmakesyoubehaveso？”saidSt。Clare，whocouldnothelpbeingamusedwiththechild’sexpression。

“Spectsit’smywickedheart，”saidTopsy，demurely；“MissFeelysaysso。”

“Don’tyouseehowmuchMissOpheliahasdoneforyou？Shesaysshehasdoneeverythingshecanthinkof。”

“Lor，yes，Mas’r！oldMissisusedtosayso，too。Shewhippedmeaheapharder，andusedtopullmyhar，andknockmyheadaginthedoor；butitdidn’tdomenogood！Ispects，ifthey’stopulleveryspireo’harouto’myhead，itwouldn’tdonogood，neither，—I’ssowicked！Laws！I’snothinbutanigger，noways！”

“Well，Ishallhavetogiveherup，”saidMissOphelia；“Ican’thavethattroubleanylonger。”

“Well，I’djustliketoaskonequestion，”saidSt。Clare。

“Whatisit？”

“Why，ifyourGospelisnotstrongenoughtosaveoneheathenchild，thatyoucanhaveathomehere，alltoyourself，what’stheuseofsendingoneortwopoormissionariesoffwithitamongthousandsofjustsuch？Isupposethischildisaboutafairsampleofwhatthousandsofyourheathenare。”

MissOpheliadidnotmakeanimmediateanswer；andEva，whohadstoodasilentspectatorofthescenethusfar，madeasilentsigntoTopsytofollowher。Therewasalittleglass-roomatthecorneroftheverandah，whichSt。Clareusedasasortofreading-room；andEvaandTopsydisappearedintothisplace。

“What’sEvagoingabout，now？”saidSt。Clare；“Imeantosee。”

And，advancingontiptoe，heliftedupacurtainthatcoveredtheglass-door，andlookedin。Inamoment，layinghisfingeronhislips，hemadeasilentgesturetoMissOpheliatocomeandlook。Theresatthetwochildrenonthefloor，withtheirsidefacestowardsthem。Topsy，withherusualairofcarelessdrolleryandunconcern；but，oppositetoher，Eva，herwholefaceferventwithfeeling，andtearsinherlargeeyes。

“Whatdoesmakeyousobad，Topsy？Whywon’tyoutryandbegood？Don’tyouloveanybody，Topsy？”

“Donnonothing’boutlove；Ilovescandyandsich，that’sall，”saidTopsy。

“Butyouloveyourfatherandmother？”

“Neverhadnone，yeknow。Itelledyethat，MissEva。”

“O，Iknow，”saidEva，sadly；“buthadn’tyouanybrother，orsister，oraunt，or—”

“No，noneon’em，—neverhadnothingnornobody。”

“But，Topsy，ifyou’donlytrytobegood，youmight—”

“Couldn’tneverbenothin’butanigger，ifIwaseversogood，”saidTopsy。“IfIcouldbeskinned，andcomewhite，I’dtrythen。”

“Butpeoplecanloveyou，ifyouareblack，Topsy。MissOpheliawouldloveyou，ifyouweregood。”

Topsygavetheshort，bluntlaughthatwashercommonmodeofexpressingincredulity。

“Don’tyouthinkso？”saidEva。

“No；shecan’tbarme，’causeI’manigger！—she’d’ssoonhaveatoadtouchher！Therecan’tnobodyloveniggers，andniggerscan’tdonothin’！Idon’tcare，”saidTopsy，beginningtowhistle。

“O，Topsy，poorchild，Iloveyou！”saidEva，withasuddenburstoffeeling，andlayingherlittlethin，whitehandonTopsy’sshoulder；“Iloveyou，becauseyouhaven’thadanyfather，ormother，orfriends；—becauseyou’vebeenapoor，abusedchild！Iloveyou，andIwantyoutobegood。Iamveryunwell，Topsy，andIthinkIshan’tliveagreatwhile；anditreallygrievesme，tohaveyoubesonaughty。Iwishyouwouldtrytobegood，formysake；—it’sonlyalittlewhileIshallbewithyou。”

Theround，keeneyesoftheblackchildwereovercastwithtears；—large，brightdropsrolledheavilydown，onebyone，andfellonthelittlewhitehand。Yes，inthatmoment，arayofrealbelief，arayofheavenlylove，hadpenetratedthedarknessofherheathensoul！Shelaidherheaddownbetweenherknees，andweptandsobbed，—whilethebeautifulchild，bendingoverher，lookedlikethepictureofsomebrightangelstoopingtoreclaimasinner。

“PoorTopsy！”saidEva，“don’tyouknowthatJesuslovesallalike？Heisjustaswillingtoloveyou，asme。HelovesyoujustasIdo，—onlymore，becauseheisbetter。Hewillhelpyoutobegood；andyoucangotoHeavenatlast，andbeanangelforever，justasmuchasifyouwerewhite。Onlythinkofit，Topsy！—youcanbeoneofthosespiritsbright，UncleTomsingsabout。”

“O，dearMissEva，dearMissEva！”saidthechild；“Iwilltry，Iwilltry；Ineverdidcarenothin’aboutitbefore。”

St。Clare，atthisinstant，droppedthecurtain。“Itputsmeinmindofmother，”hesaidtoMissOphelia。“Itistruewhatshetoldme；ifwewanttogivesighttotheblind，wemustbewillingtodoasChristdid，—callthemtous，andputourhandsonthem。”

“I’vealwayshadaprejudiceagainstnegroes，”saidMissOphelia，“andit’safact，Inevercouldbeartohavethatchildtouchme；but，Idon’tthinksheknewit。”

“Trustanychildtofindthatout，”saidSt。Clare；“there’snokeepingitfromthem。ButIbelievethatallthetryingintheworldtobenefitachild，andallthesubstantialfavorsyoucandothem，willneverexciteoneemotionofgratitude，whilethatfeelingofrepugnanceremainsintheheart；—it’saqueerkindofafact，—butsoitis。”

“Idon’tknowhowIcanhelpit，”saidMissOphelia；“theyaredisagreeabletome，—thischildinparticular，—howcanIhelpfeelingso？”

“Evadoes，itseems。”

“Well，she’ssoloving！Afterall，though，she’snomorethanChrist-like，”saidMissOphelia；“IwishIwerelikeher。Shemightteachmealesson。”

“Itwouldn’tbethefirsttimealittlechildhadbeenusedtoinstructanolddisciple，ifitwereso，”saidSt。Clare。