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。