第5章

Induetimetheindorserwascalledupontomeetthematuringobligation。Thiswasthebeginningofaseriesoffinancialdifficultieswhichspeedilyinvolvedhiminruin。Hediedprematurely，adisappointedanddisheartenedman，leavinghisfamilyindirepoverty。

Hiswidowandsurvivingchildrenlivedonforalittlewhileatthehousehehadowned，justoutsideofthetown，ononeofthemaintraveledroads。

Bythewayside，nearthehouse，therewasafamousdeepwell。Theslim，barefootgirl，withsparklingeyesandvoluminoushair，whoplayedabouttheyardandsometimeshandedwaterinagourdtotravelers，didnotlongescapecriticalobservation。

Agentlemandrovebyoneday，stoppedatthewell，smileduponthegirl，andsaidkindwords。Hecameagain，morethanonce，andsoon，whilescarcelymorethanachildinyears，Mollywaslivinginherownhouse，hersbydeedofgift，forherprotectorwasrichandliberal。Hermothernevermoreknewwant。HerpoorrelationscouldalwaysfindamealinMolly’skitchen。Shedidnotflauntherprosperityintheworld’sface；shehiditdiscreetlybehindthecedarscreen。Thosewhowishedcouldknowofit，fortherewerefewsecretsinPatesville；thosewhochosecouldaseasilyignoreit。Therewerefewtotroublethemselvesaboutthesecludedlifeofanobscurewomanofaclasswhichhadnorecognizedplaceinthesocialeconomy。Sheworshipedthegrounduponwhichherlordwalked，washumblygratefulforhisprotection，andquiteasfaithfulastheforbiddenmarriagevowcouldpossiblyhavemadeher。Sheledherlifeinmaterialpeaceandcomfort，andwithacertainamountofdignity。Ofherfalserelationtosocietyshewasnotwithoutsomevagueconception；butthemoralpointinvolvedwassoconfusedwithotherquestionsgrowingout——ofslaveryandcasteastocauseher，asarule，butlittleuneasiness；andonlynowandthen，inthemomentsofdeeperfeelingthatcomesometimestoallwholiveandlove，didtherebreakthroughthemistsofignoranceandprejudicesurroundingheraflashoflightbywhichshesaw，sofarasshewascapableofseeing，hertrueposition，whichintheclearlightoftruthnospecialpleadingcouldentirelyjustify。Forshewasfree，shehadnottheslave’sexcuse。Witheveryinducementtodoevilandfewincentivestodowell，andhenceentitledtocharitablejudgment，sheyethadfreedomofchoice，andthereforecouldnotwhollyescapeblame。Letitbesaid，infurtherextenuation，thatnootherwomanlivedinneglectorsorrowbecauseofher。Sherobbednooneelse。Forwhatlifegavehershereturnedanequivalent；andwhatshedidnotpay，herchildrensettledtothelastfarthing。

Severalyearsbeforethewar，whenMis’Molly’sdaughterRenawasafewyearsold，deathhadsuddenlyremovedthesourceoftheirprosperity。

Thehouseholdwasnotleftentirelydestitute。

Mis’Mollyownedherhome，andhadastoreofgoldpiecesinthechestbeneathherbed。Asmallpieceofrealestatestoodinthenameofeachofthechildren，theincomefromwhichcontributedtotheirmaintenance。Largerexpectationsweredependentuponthediscoveryofapromisedwill，whichnevercametolight。Mis’Mollyworeblackforseveralyearsafterthisbereavement，untiltheteacherandthepreacher，followingcloseupontheheelsofmilitaryoccupation，suggestedtothecoloredpeoplenewstandardsoflifeandcharacter，inthelightofwhichMis’Mollylaidhermourningsadlyandshamefacedlyaside。ShehadeatenofthefruitoftheTreeofKnowledge。Afterthewarsheformedthehabitofchurch—going，andmighthavebeenseennowandthen，withherdaughter，inaretiredcornerofthegalleryofthewhiteEpiscopalchurch。Uponthegroundfloorwasacertainpewwhichcouldbeseenfromherseat，whereoncehadsatagentlemanwhosepleasureshadnotinterferedwiththepracticeofhisreligion。ShemighthavehadabetterseatinachurchwhereaNorthernmissionarywouldhavepreachedasermonbettersuitedtohercomprehensionandhermoralneeds，butshepreferredtheother。Shewasnotwhite，alas！shewasshutoutfromthisseemingparadise；

butshelikedtoseethedistantglowofthecelestialcity，andtorecallthedayswhenshehadbaskedinitsradiance。Shedidnotsympathizegreatlywiththeneweraopenedupfortheemancipatedslaves；

shehadnoidealloveofliberty；shewasnobroaderandnomorealtruisticthanthewhitepeoplearoundher，towhomshehadalwayslookedup；andshesighedfortheolddays，becausetohertheyhadbeenthegooddays。Now，notonlywasherkingdead，buttheshieldofhismemoryprotectedhernolonger。

Mollyhadlostonechild，andhisgravewasvisiblefromthekitchenwindow，underasmallclumpofcedarsintherearofthetwo—acrelot。

Foreveninthetownsmanyahouseholdhaditsprivatecemeteryinthoseolddayswhenthelivingwereclosetothedead，andghostswerenotthemerechimerasofasickimagination，butrealthoughunsubstantialentities，ofwhichitwasalmostdisgracefulnottohaveseenoneortwo。

HadnottheWitchofEndorcalleduptheshadeofSamueltheprophet？HadnotthespiritofMis’Molly’sdeadsonappearedtoher，aswellastheghostlypresenceofanothershehadloved？

In1855，Mis’Molly’sremainingsonhadgrownintoatall，slenderladoffifteen，withhisfather’spatricianfeaturesandhismother’sIndianhair，andnoexternalsigntomarkhimofffromthewhiteboysonthestreet。Hesooncametoknow，however，thattherewasadifference。Hewasinformedonedaythathewasblack。Hedeniedthepropositionandthrashedthechildwhomadeit。

Thescenewasrepeatedthenextday，withavariation，——hewashimselfthrashedbyalargerboy。

Whenhehadbeenbeatenfiveorsixtimes，heceasedtoarguethepoint，thoughtohimselfheneveradmittedthecharge。Hisplaymatesmightcallhimblack；themirrorprovedthatGod，theFatherofall，hadmadehimwhite；andGod，hehadbeentaught，madenomistakes，——havingmadehimwhite，Hemusthavemeanthimtobewhite。

Inthe"hall"orparlorofhismother’shousestoodaquaintlycarvedblackwalnutbookcase，containingasmallbutremarkablecollectionofbooks，whichhadatonetimebeenused，inhishoursofretreatandrelaxationfrombusinessandpolitics，bythedistinguishedgentlemanwhodidnotgivehisnametoMis’Molly’schildren，——towhomitwouldhavebeenavaluableheritage，couldtheyhavehadtherighttobearit。AmongthebookswereavolumeofFielding’scompleteworks，infineprint，setindoublecolumns；asetofBulwer’snovels；acollectionofeverythingthatWalterScott——theliteraryidoloftheSouth——hadeverwritten；BeaumontandFletcher’splays，cheekbyjowlwiththehistoryofthevirtuousClarissaHarlowe；theSpectatorandTristramShandy，RobinsonCrusoeandtheArabianNights。OnthesesecludedshelvesRoderickRandom，DonQuixote，andGilBlasforalongtimeceasedtheirwanderings，thePilgrim’sProgresswassuspended，Milton’smightyharmoniesweredumb，andShakespearereignedoverasilentkingdom。AnillustratedBible，withawonderfulApocrypha，wasflankedononesidebyVolney’sRuinsofEmpireandontheotherbyPaine’sAgeofReason，forthecollectorofthebookshadbeenamanofcatholictasteaswellasofinquiringmind，andnoonewhocouldhavecriticisedhisreadingeverpenetratedbehindthecedarhedge。AhistoryoftheFrenchRevolutionconsortedamiablywithahomespunchronicleofNorthCarolina，richinbiographicalnoticesofdistinguishedcitizensandinscriptionsfromtheirtombstones，uponreadingwhichonemightwellwonderwhyNorthCarolinahadnotlongagoeclipsedtherestoftheworldinwealth，wisdom，glory，andrenown。Onalmosteverypageofthismonumentalworkcouldbefoundthemostardentpanegyricsofliberty，sidebysidewiththeslaverystatisticsoftheState，——anincongruityofwhichthelearnedauthorwasdeliciouslyunconscious。

WhenJohnWaldenwasyetasmallboy，hehadlearnedallthatcouldbetaughtbythefadedmulattoteacherinthelong，shinyblackfrockcoat，whomlocalpublicopinionpermittedtoteachahandfuloffreecoloredchildrenforapittancebarelyenoughtokeepsoulandbodytogether。

Whentheboyhadlearnedtoread，hediscoveredthelibrary，whichforseveralyearshadbeenwithoutareader，andfoundinittheportalofanewworld，peopledwithstrangeandmarvelousbeings。

Lyingproneupontheflooroftheshadedfrontpiazza，behindthefragrantgarden，hefollowedthefortunesofTomJonesandSophia；heweptoverthefateofEugeneAram；hepenetratedwithRichardtheLion—heartintoSaladin’stent，withGilBlasintotherobbers’cave；heflewthroughtheaironthemagiccarpetortheenchantedhorse，ortiedwithSindbadtotheroc’sleg。Sometimeshereadorrepeatedthesimplerstoriestohislittlesister，sittingwide—eyedbyhisside。Whenhehadreadallthebooks，——indeed，longbeforehehadreadthemall，——hetoohadtastedofthefruitoftheTreeofKnowledge：contentmenttookitsflight，andhappinesslayfarbeyondthespherewherehewasborn。Thebloodofhiswhitefathers，theheirsoftheages，criedoutforitsown，andafterthemannerofthatbloodsetaboutgettingtheobjectofitsdesire。

NearthecornerofMackenzieStreet，justoneblocknorthofthePatesvillemarket—house，therehadstoodformanyyearsbeforethewar，onthevergeofthesteepbankofBeaverCreek，asmallframeofficebuilding，thefrontofwhichwaslevelwiththestreet，whiletherearrestedonlongbrickpillarsfoundedonthesolidrockattheedgeofthebrawlingstreambelow。Here，fornearlyhalfacentury，ArchibaldStraighthadtransactedlegalbusinessforthebestpeopleofNorthumberlandCounty。Fullmanyalawsuithadhewon，lost，orsettled；manyaspendthrifthadhesavedfromruin，andnotafewfamiliesfromdisgrace。Severaltimeshonoredbyelectiontothebench，hehadsodispensedjusticetemperedwithmercyastowintheheartsofallgoodcitizens，andespeciallythoseofthepoor，theoppressed，andthesociallydisinherited。Therightsofthehumblestnegro，fewastheymightbe，wereassacredtohimasthoseoftheproudestaristocrat，andhehadsentencedamantobehangedforthemurderofhisownslave。Anold—fashionedman，tallandspareoffigureandbowedsomewhatwithage，hewasalwayscorrectlycladinalongfrockcoatofbroadcloth，withahighcollarandablackstock。

Courtlyinaddresstohissocialequals（superiorshehadnone），hewaskindandconsideratetothosebeneathhim。Heownedafewdomesticservants，nooneofwhomhadeverfelttheweightofhishand，andforwhoseultimatefreedomhehadprovidedinhiswill。Inthelong—drawn—outslaveryagitationhehadtakenakeeninterest，ratherasobserverthanasparticipant。Astheheatofcontroversyincreased，hislackofzealforthepeculiarinstitutionledtohisdefeatforthebenchbyamoreactivepartisan。Hiswastoojustamindnottoperceivetheargumentsonbothsides；

but，onthewhole，hehadstoodbytheancientlandmarks，contenttoleteventsdrifttoaconclusionhedidnotexpecttosee；theinstitutionsofhisfatherswouldprobablylasthislifetime。

OnedayJudgeStraightwassittinginhisofficereadingarecentlypublishedpamphlet，——

presentinganelaboratepro—slaveryargument，baseduponthehopelessintellectualinferiorityofthenegro，andthephysicalandmoraldegenerationofmulattoes，whocombinedtheworstqualitiesoftheirtwoancestralraces，——whenabarefootedboywalkedintotheoffice，strawhatinhand，cameboldlyuptothedeskatwhichtheoldjudgewassitting，andsaidasthejudgelookedupthroughhisgold—rimmedglasses，——

"Sir，Iwanttobealawyer！"

"Godblessme！"exclaimedthejudge。"Itisasingulardesire，fromasingularsource，andexpressedinasingularway。Whothedevilareyou，sir，thatwishsostrangeathingastobecomealawyer——everybody’sservant？"

"Andeverybody’smaster，sir，"repliedtheladstoutly。

"Thatisamatterofopinion，andopentoargument，"rejoinedthejudge，amusedandsecretlyflatteredbythistributetohisprofession，"thoughtheremaybeagrainoftruthinwhatyousay。

Butwhatisyourname，Mr。Would—be—lawyer？"

"JohnWalden，sir，"answeredthelad。

"JohnWalden？——Walden？"musedthejudge。

"WhatWaldencanthatbe？Doyoubelongintown？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Humph！Ican’timaginewhoyouare。It’splainthatyouarealadofgoodblood，andyetI

don’tknowwhosesonyoucanbe。Whatisyourfather’sname？"

Theladhesitated，andflushedcrimson。

Theoldgentlemannotedhishesitation。"Itisawiseson，"hethought，"thatknowshisownfather。Heisabrightlad，andwillhavethisquestionputtohimmorethanonce。I’llseehowhewillanswerit。"

Theboymaintainedanawkwardsilence，whiletheoldjudgeeyedhimkeenly。

"Myfather’sdead，"hesaidatlength，inalowvoice。"I’mMis’MollyWalden’sson。"Hehadexpected，ofcourse，totellwhohewas，ifasked，buthadnotforeseenjusttheformoftheinquiry；andwhilehehadthoughtmoreofhisracethanofhisillegitimatebirth，herealizedatthismomentasneverbeforethatthisquestiontoowouldbealwayswithhim。AsputnowbyJudgeStraight，itmadehimwince。Hehadnotreadhisfather’sbooksfornothing。

"Godblessmysoul！"exclaimedthejudgeingenuinesurpriseatthisanswer；"andyouwanttobealawyer！"Thesituationwassomuchworsethanhehadsuspectedthatevenanoldpractitioner，case—hardenedbyyearsoflifeatthetrialtableandonthebench，wasstartledforamomentintoacomicalsortofconsternation，soapparentthataladlessstout—heartedwouldhaveweakenedandfledatthesightofit。

"Yes，sir。Whynot？"respondedtheboy，tremblingalittleattheknees，butstoutlyholdinghisground。

"Hewantstobealawyer，andheasksmewhynot！"mutteredthejudge，speakingapparentlytohimself。Herosefromhischair，walkedacrosstheroom，andthrewopenawindow。Thecoolmorningairbroughtwithitthebabblingofthestreambelowandthemurmurofthemillnearby。

Heglancedacrossthecreektotheruinedfoundationofanoldhouseonthelowgroundbeyondthecreek。Turningfromthewindow，helookedbackattheboy，whohadremainedstandingbetweenhimandthedoor。Atthatmomentanotherladcamealongthestreetandstoppedoppositetheopendoorway。Thepresenceofthetwoboysinconnectionwiththebookhehadbeenreadingsuggestedacomparison。Thejudgeknewtheladoutsideasthesonofaleadingmerchantofthetown。Themerchantandhiswifewerebothofoldfamilieswhichhadlivedinthecommunityforseveralgenerations，andwhosebloodwaspresumablyofthepureststrain；yettheboywassallow，withamorphousfeatures，thinshanks，andstoopingshoulders。Theyouthstandinginthejudge’soffice，onthecontrary，wasstraight，shapely，andwell—grown。Hiseyewasclear，andhekeptitfixedontheoldgentlemanwithalookinwhichtherewasnothingofcringing。HewasnodarkerthanmanyawhiteboybronzedbytheSouthernsun；hishairandeyeswereblack，andhisfeaturesofthehigh—bred，clean—cutorderthatmarksthepatriciantypetheworldover。Whatstruckthejudgemostforcibly，however，wasthelad’sresemblancetoanoldfriendandcompanionandclient。Herecalledacertainconversationwiththisoldfriend，whohadsaidtohimoneday：

"Archie，I’mcomingintohaveyoudrawmywill。TherearesomechildrenforwhomIwouldliketomakeampleprovision。Ican’tgivethemanythingelse，butmoneywillmakethemfreeoftheworld。"

Thejudge’sfriendhaddiedsuddenlybeforecarryingoutthisgoodintention。Thejudgehadtakenoccasiontosuggesttheexistenceofthesechildren，andtheirfather’sintentionsconcerningthem，tothedistantrelativeswhohadinheritedhisfriend’slargeestate。Theyhadchosentotakeoffenseatthesuggestion。Onehadthoughtitinshockingbadtaste；anotherconsideredanymentionofsuchasubjectaninsulttohiscousin’smemory。Athirdhadsaid，withflashingeyes，thatthewomanandherchildrenhadalreadyrobbedtheestateofenough；thatitwasapitythelittleniggerswerenotslaves——thattheywouldhaveaddedmeasurablytothevalueoftheproperty。

JudgeStraight’smannerindicatedsomedisapprovaloftheirattitude，andthesettlementoftheestatewasplacedinotherhandsthanhis。Now，thisson，withhisfather’sfaceandhisfather’svoice，stoodbeforehisfather’sfriend，demandingentrancetothegoldengateofopportunity，whichsocietybarredtoallwhoborethebloodofthedespisedrace。

Ashekeptonlookingattheboy，whobeganatlengthtogrowsomewhatembarrassedunderthiskeenscrutiny，thejudge’smindrevertedtocertainlawsandjudicialdecisionsthathehadlookeduponceortwiceinhislifetime。Eventhelaw，theinstrumentbywhichtyrannyrivetedthechainsuponitsvictims，hadrevoltednowandthenagainstthesenselessandunnaturalprejudicebywhicharaceascribingitssuperioritytorightofbloodpermittedameresuspicionofservilebloodtooutweighavastpreponderanceofitsown。

"Why，indeed，shouldhenotbealawyer，oranythingelsethatamanmightbe，ifitbeinhim？"

askedthejudge，speakingrathertohimselfthantotheboy。"Sitdown，"heordered，pointingtoachairontheothersideoftheroom。Thatheshouldaskacoloredladtobeseatedinhispresencewasofitselfenoughtostampthejudgeaseccentric。

"Youwanttobealawyer，"hewenton，adjustinghisspectacles。"Youareaware，ofcourse，thatyouareanegro？"

"Iamwhite，"repliedthelad，turningbackhissleeveandholdingouthisarm，"andIamfree，asallmypeoplewerebeforeme。"

Theoldlawyershookhishead，andfixedhiseyesupontheladwithaslightlyquizzicalsmile。"Youareblack。"hesaid，"andyouarenotfree。Youcannottravelwithoutyourpapers；youcannotsecureaccommodationsataninn；youcouldnotvote，ifyouwereofage；youcannotbeoutafternineo’clockwithoutapermit。Ifawhitemanstruckyou，youcouldnotreturntheblow，andyoucouldnottestifyagainsthiminacourtofjustice。

Youareblack，mylad，andyouarenotfree。DidyoueverhearoftheDredScottdecision，deliveredbythegreat，wise，andlearnedJudgeTaney？"

"No，sir，"answeredtheboy。

"Itistoolongtoread，"rejoinedthejudge，takingupthepamphlethehadlaiddownuponthelad’sentrance，"butitsaysinsubstance，asquotedbythisauthor，thatnegroesarebeings`ofaninferiororder，andaltogetherunfittoassociatewiththewhiterace，eitherinsocialorpoliticalrelations；infact，soinferiorthattheyhavenorightswhichthewhitemanisboundtorespect，andthatthenegromayjustlyandlawfullybereducedtoslaveryforhisbenefit。’Thatisthelawofthisnation，andthatisthereasonwhyyoucannotbealawyer。"

"Itmayallbetrue，"repliedtheboy，"butitdon’tapplytome。Itsays`thenegro。’Anegroisblack；Iamwhite，andnotblack。"

"Blackasink，mylad，"returnedthelawyer，shakinghishead。"`Onetouchofnaturemakesthewholeworldkin，’saysthepoet。Somewhere，sometime，youhadablackancestor。Onedropofblackbloodmakesthewholemanblack。"

"Whyshouldn’titbetheotherway，ifthewhitebloodissomuchsuperior？"inquiredthelad。

"Becauseitismoreconvenientasitis——andmoreprofitable。"

"Itisnotright，"maintainedthelad。

"Godblessme！"exclaimedtheoldgentleman，"heisinvadingthefieldofethics！Hewillbequestioningtherighteousnessofslaverynext！I’mafraidyouwouldn’tmakeagoodlawyer，inanyevent。Lawyersgobythelaws——theyabidebytheaccomplishedfact；tothem，whateveris，isright。

Thelawsdonotpermitmenofcolortopracticelaw，andpublicsentimentwouldnotallowoneofthemtostudyit。"

"Ihadthought，"saidthelad，"thatImightpassforwhite。TherearewhitepeopledarkerthanIam。"

"Ah，well，thatisanothermatter；but"——

Thejudgestoppedforamoment，struckbytheabsurdityofhisarguingsuchaquestionwithamulattoboy。Hereallymustbefallingintoprematuredotage。Theproperthingwouldbetorebuketheladforhispresumptionandadvisehimtolearntotakecareofhorses，ormakeboots，orlaybricks。Butagainhesawhisoldfriendinthelad’sface，andagainhelookedinvainforanysignofnegroblood。Theleastearmarkwouldhaveturnedthescale，buthecouldnotfindit。

"Thatisanothermatter，"herepeated。"Hereyouhavestartedasblack，andmustremainso。

Butifyouwishtomoveaway，andsinkyourpastintooblivion，thecasemightbedifferent。Letusseewhatthelawis；youmightnotneeditifyouwentfarenough，butitiswellenoughtobewithinit——libertyissweeterwhenfoundedsecurelyonthelaw。"

Hetookdownavolumeboundinlegalcalfandglancedthroughit。"ThecolorlineisdrawninNorthCarolinaatfourgenerationsremovedfromthenegro；therehavebeenjudicialdecisionstothateffect。Iimaginethatwouldcoveryourcase。ButletusseewhatSouthCarolinamaysayaboutit，"hecontinued，takinganotherbook。

"Ithinkthelawisevenmoreliberalthere。Ah，thisistheplace：——

"`Thetermmulatto，’"heread，"`isnotinvariablyapplicabletoeveryadmixtureofAfricanbloodwiththeEuropean，norisonehavingallthefeaturesofawhitetoberankedwiththedegradedclassdesignatedbythelawsofthisStateaspersonsofcolor，becauseofsomeremotetaintofthenegrorace。JurieswouldprobablybejustifiedinholdingapersontobewhiteinwhomtheadmixtureofAfricanblooddidnotexceedoneeighth。Andevenwherecolororfeaturearedoubtful，itisaquestionforthejurytodecidebyreputation，byreceptionintosociety，andbytheirexerciseoftheprivilegesofthewhiteman，aswellasbyadmixtureofblood。’"

"ThenIneednotbeblack？"theboycried，withsparklingeyes。

"No，"repliedthelawyer，"youneednotbeblack，awayfromPatesville。Youhavethesomewhatunusualprivilege，itseems，ofchoosingbetweentworaces，andifyouarealadofspirit，asIthinkyouare，itwillnottakeyoulongtomakeyourchoice。Asyouhaveallthefeaturesofawhiteman，youwould，atleastinSouthCarolina，havesimplytoassumetheplaceandexercisetheprivilegesofawhiteman。Youmight，ofcourse，dothesamethinganywhere，aslongasnooneknewyourorigin。Butthematterhasbeenadjudicatedthereinseveralcases，andonthewholeIthinkSouthCarolinaistheplaceforyou。They’remoreliberalthere，perhapsbecausetheyhavemanymoreblacksthanwhites，andwouldliketolessenthedisproportion。"

"Fromthistimeon，"saidtheboy，"Iamwhite。"

"Softly，softly，myCaucasianfellowcitizen，"

returnedthejudge，chucklingwithquietamusement。"Youarewhiteintheabstract，beforethelaw。Youmaycherishthefactinsecret，butI

wouldnotadviseyoutoproclaimitopenlyjustyet。Youmustwaituntilyougoaway——toSouthCarolina。"

"AndcanIlearntobealawyer，sir？"askedthelad。

"Itseemstomethatyououghttobereasonablycontentforonedaywithwhatyouhavelearnedalready。Youcannotbealawyeruntilyouarewhite，inpositionaswellasintheory，noruntilyouaretwenty—oneyearsold。Ineedanofficeboy。Ifyouarewillingtocomeintomyoffice，sweepit，keepmybooksdusted，andstayherewhenIamout，Idonotcare。Totherestofthetownyouwillbemyservant，andstillanegro。Ifyouchoosetoreadmybookswhennooneisaboutandbewhiteinyourownprivateopinion，Ihavenoobjection。Whenyouhavemadeupyourmindtogoaway，perhapswhatyouhavereadmayhelpyou。Butmum’stheword！

IfIhearawhisperofthisfromanyothersource，outyougo，neckandcrop！Iamwillingtohelpyoumakeamanofyourself，butitcanonlybedoneundertherose。"

FortwoyearsJohnWaldenopenlyswepttheofficeandsurreptitiouslyreadthelawbooksofoldJudgeStraight。Whenhewaseighteen，heaskedhismotherforasumofmoney，kissedhergood—

by，andwentoutintotheworld。Whenhissister，thenaprettychildofseven，criedbecauseherbigbrotherwasgoingaway，hetookherupinhisarms，gaveherasilverdimewithaholeinitforakeepsake，huggedherclose，andkissedher。

"Nev’min’，sis，"hesaidsoothingly。"Beagoodlittlegal，an’someo’thesedaysI’llcomebacktoseeyouandbringyousomethin’fine。"

Inafteryears，whenMis’Mollywasaskedwhathadbecomeofherson，shewouldreplywithsadcomplacency，——

"He’sgoneoverontheotherside。"

Aswehaveseen，hecamebacktenyearslater。

Manyyearsbefore，whenMis’Molly，thenaveryyoungwoman，hadtakenupherresidenceinthehousebehindthecedars，thegentlemanheretoforereferredtohadbuiltacabinontheoppositecorner，inwhichhehadinstalledatrustedslavebythenameofPeterFowlerandhiswifeNancy。

Peterwasagoodmechanic，andhiredhistimefromhismasterwiththeprovisionthatPeterandhiswifeshoulddocertainworkforMis’Mollyandserveasasortofprotectionforher。IncourseoftimePeter，whowasindustriousandthrifty，savedenoughmoneytopurchasehisfreedomandthatofhiswifeandtheironechild，andtobuythelittlehouseacrossthestreet，withthecoopershopbehindit。Aftertheyhadacquiredtheirfreedom，PeterandNancydidnoworkforMis’Mollysaveastheywerepaidforit，andasarulepreferrednottoworkatallforthewomanwhohadbeenpracticallytheirmistress；itmadethemseemlessfree。Nevertheless，thetwohouseholdshadremainedupongoodterms，evenafterthedeathofthemanwhosewillhadbroughtthemtogether，andwhohadremainedPeter’spatronafterhehadceasedtobehismaster。Therewasnointimateassociationbetweenthetwofamilies。Mis’MollyfeltherselfinfinitelysuperiortoPeterandhiswife，——scarcelylesssuperiorthanherpoorwhiteneighborsfeltthemselvestoMis’Molly。Mis’

Mollyalwaysmeanttobekind，andtreatedPeterandNancywithacertaingood—naturedcondescension。

Theyresentedthis，neveropenlyoroffensively，butalwaysinasubconscioussortofway，evenwhentheydidnotspeakofitamongthemselves——muchastheyhadresentedhermistress—shipintheolddays。Forafterall，theyargued，inspiteofherairsandgraces，herwhitefaceandherfineclothes，wasshenotanegro，evenasthemselves？andsincetheslaveshadbeenfreed，wasnotonenegroasgoodasanother？

Peter’ssonFrankhadgrownupwithlittleRena。Hewasseveralyearsolderthanshe，andwhenRenawasasmallchildMis’Mollyhadoftenconfidedhertohiscare，andhehadwatchedoverherandkeptherfromharm。WhenFrankbecameoldenoughtogotoworkinthecoopershop，Rena，thensixorseven，hadoftengoneacrosstoplayamongthecleanwhiteshavings。OnceFrank，whilelearningthetrade，hadletslipasharpsteeltool，whichflyingtowardRenahadgrazedherarmandsenttheredbloodcoursingalongthewhitefleshandsoakingthemuslinsleeve。Hehadrolledupthesleeveandstanchedthebloodanddriedhertears。ForalongtimethereafterhermotherkeptherawayfromtheshopandwasverycoldtoFrank。Onedaythelittlegirlwandereddowntothebankoftheoldcanal。Ithadbeenrainingforseveraldays，andthewaterwasquitedeepinthechannel。Thechildslippedandfellintothestream。FromtheopenwindowofthecoopershopFrankheardascream。Herandowntothecanalandpulledherout，andcarriedherallwetanddrippingtothehouse。Fromthattimehehadbeenrestoredtofavor。Hehadwatchedthegirlgrowuptowomanhoodintheyearsfollowingthewar，andhadbeensorrywhenshebecametoooldtoplayabouttheshop。

Heneverspoketoheroflove，——indeed，heneverthoughtofhispassioninsuchalight。

Therewouldhavebeennolegalbarriertotheirunion；therewouldhavebeennofrightfulmenacetowhitesupremacyinthemarriageofthenegroandtheoctoroon：thedropofdarkbloodbridgedthechasm。ButFrankknewthatshedidnotlovehim，andhadnothopedthatshemight。Hiswasoneofthoseraresoulsthatcangivewithsmallhopeofreturn。Whenhehadmadethescaruponherarm，bythesametokenshehadbrandedhimherslaveforever；whenhehadsavedherfromawaterygrave，hehadgivenhislifetoher。Therearedepthsoffidelityanddevotioninthenegroheartthathaveneverbeenfathomedorfullyappreciated。Nowandtheninthekindlierphasesofslaverythesequalitieswerebrightlyconspicuous，andinthem，ifwiselyappealedto，liesthestrongesthopeofamitybetweenthetworaceswhosedestinyseemsbounduptogetherintheWesternworld。Evenadumbbrutecanbewonbykindness。Surelyitwereworthwhiletotrysomeotherweaponthanscornandcontumelyandhardwordsuponpeopleofourcommonrace，——

thehumanrace，whichisbiggerandbroaderthanCeltorSaxon，barbarianorGreek，JeworGentile，blackorwhite；forweareallchildrenofacommonFather，forgetitaswemay，andeachoneofusisinsomemeasurehisbrother’skeeper。

XIX

GODMADEUSALL

Renawasconvalescentfromatwo—weeks’

illnesswhenherbrothercametoseeher。HearrivedatPatesvillebyanearlymorningtrainbeforethetownwasawake，andwalkedunnoticedfromthestationtohismother’shouse。Hismeetingwithhissisterwasnotwithoutemotion：heembracedhertenderly，andRenabecameforafewminutesaveryNiobeofgrief。

"Oh，itwascruel，cruel！"shesobbed。"I

shallnevergetoverit。"

"Iknowit，mydear，"repliedWarwicksoothingly，——"Iknowit，andI’mtoblameforit。IfIhadnevertakenyouawayfromhere，youwouldhaveescapedthispainfulexperience。Butdonotdespair；allisnotlost。Tryonwillnotmarryyou，asIhopedhemight，whileIfearedthecontrary；butheisagentleman，andwillbesilent。

Comebackandtryagain。"

"No，John。Icouldn’tgothroughitasecondtime。Imanagedverywellbefore，whenIthoughtoursecretwasunknown；butnowIcouldneverbesure。Itwouldbeborneoneverywind，foraughtIknew，andeveryrustlingleafmightwhisperit。Thelaw，yousaid，madeuswhite；

butnotthelaw，norevenlove，canconquerprejudice。HEspokeofmybeauty，mygrace，mysweetness！Ilookedintohiseyesandbelievedhim。Andyetheleftmewithoutaword！WhatwouldIdoinClarencenow？Icameawayengagedtobemarried，witheventhedayset；I

shouldgobackforsakenanddiscredited；eventheservantswouldpityme。"

"LittleAlbertispiningforyou，"suggestedWarwick。"Wecouldmakesomeexplanationthatwouldspareyourfeelings。"

"Ah，donottemptme，John！Ilovethechild，andamgrievedtoleavehim。I’mgrateful，too，John，forwhatyouhavedoneforme。IamnotsorrythatItriedit。Itopenedmyeyes，andI

wouldratherdieofknowledgethanliveinignorance。

ButIcouldnotgothroughitagain，John；

Iamnotstrongenough。Icoulddoyounogood；

Ihavemadeyoutroubleenoughalready。GetamotherforAlbert——Mrs。Newberrywouldmarryyou，secretandall，andwouldbegoodtothechild。

Forgetme，John，andtakecareofyourself。Yourfriendhasfoundyououtthroughme——hemayhavetoldadozenpeople。Youthinkhewillbesilent；——Ithoughthelovedme，andheleftmewithoutaword，andwithalookthattoldmehowhehatedanddespisedme。Iwouldnothavebelievedit——evenofawhiteman。"

"Youdohimaninjustice，"saidherbrother，producingTryon’sletter。"Hedidnotgetoffunscathed。Hesentyouamessage。"

Sheturnedherfaceaway，butlistenedwhilehereadtheletter。"Hedidnotloveme，"shecriedangrily，whenhehadfinished，"orhewouldnothavecastmeoff——hewouldnothavelookedatmeso。Thelawwouldhavelethimmarryme。I

seemedaswhiteashedid。Hemighthavegoneanywherewithme，andnoonewouldhavestaredatuscuriously；nooneneedhaveknown。Theworldiswide——theremustbesomeplacewhereamancouldlivehappilywiththewomanheloved。"

"Yes，Rena，thereis；andtheworldiswideenoughforyoutogetalongwithoutTryon。"

"Foradayortwo，"shewenton，"Ihopedhemightcomeback。Buthisexpressioninthatawfulmomentgrewuponme，hauntedmedayandnight，untilIshudderedatthethoughtthatImighteverseehimagain。HelookedatmeasthoughI

werenotevenahumanbeing。Idonotlovehimanylonger，John；IwouldnotmarryhimifI

werewhite，orhewereasIam。Hedidnotloveme——orhewouldhaveacteddifferently。Hemighthavelovedmeandhaveleftme——hecouldnothavelovedmeandhavelookedatmeso！"

Shewasweepinghysterically。Therewaslittlehecouldsaytocomforther。Presentlyshedriedhertears。WarwickwasreluctanttoleaveherinPatesville。Herchildishhappinesshadbeenthatofignorance；shecouldneverbehappythereagain。

Shehadfloweredinthesunlight；shemustnotpineawayintheshade。

"Ifyouwon’tcomebackwithme，Rena，I’llsendyoutosomeschoolattheNorth，whereyoucanacquirealiberaleducation，andprepareyourselfforsomecareerofusefulness。YoumaymarryabettermanthanevenTryon。"

"No，"sherepliedfirmly，"Ishallnevermarryanyman，andI’llnotleavemotheragain。Godisagainstit；I’llstaywithmyownpeople。"

"Godhasnothingtodowithit，"retortedWarwick。"Godistoooftenaconvenientstalking—

horseforhumanselfishness。Ifthereisanythingtobedone，sounjust，sodespicable，sowickedthathumanreasonrevoltsatit，thereisalwayssomesmughypocritetoexclaim，`ItisthewillofGod。’"

"Godmadeusall，"continuedRenadreamily，"andforsomegoodpurpose，thoughwemaynotalwaysseeit。Hemadesomepeoplewhite，andstrong，andmasterful，and——heartless。Hemadeothersblackandhomely，andpoorandweak"——

"Andalotofothers`poorwhite’andshiftless，"

smiledWarwick。

"Hemadeus，too，"continuedRena，intentuponherownthought，"andHemusthavehadareasonforit。PerhapsHemeantustobringtheotherstogetherinhisowngoodtime。Amanmaymakeanewplaceforhimself——awomanisbornandboundtohers。Godmusthavemeantmetostayhere，orHewouldnothavesentmeback。Ishallacceptthingsastheyare。WhyshouldIseekthesocietyofpeoplewhosefriendship——andlove——

onelittlewordcanturntoscorn？Iwasright，John；Ioughttohavetoldhim。Supposehehadmarriedmeandthenhadfounditout？"

ToRena’sargumentofdivineforeordinationWarwickattachednoweightwhatever。HehadseenGod’sheelplantedforfourlongyearsuponthelandwhichhadnourishedslavery。HadGodordainedthecrimethatthepunishmentmightfollow？ItwouldhavebeeneasierforOmnipotencetopreventthecrime。Theexperienceofhissisterhadstirredupacertainbitternessagainstwhitepeople——afeelingwhichhehadputasideyearsago，withhisdarkblood，butwhichspranganewintolifewhenthefactofhisownoriginwasbroughthometohimsoforciblythroughhissister’smisfortune。Hisswornfriendandpromisedbrother—in—

lawhadthrownhimoverpromptly，uponthediscoveryofthehiddendropofdarkblood。Howmanyothersofhisfriendswoulddothesame，iftheybutknewofit？HehadbeguntofeelalittleofthespiritualestrangementfromhisassociatesthathehadnoticedinRenaduringherlifeatClarence。

Thefactthatseveralpersonsknewhissecrethadspoiledthefineflavorofperfectsecurityhithertomarkinghisposition。GeorgeTryonwasamanofhonoramongwhitemen，andhaddeignedtoextendtheprotectionofhishonortoWarwickasaman，thoughnolongerasafriend；toRenaasawoman，butnotasawife。Tryon，however，wasonlyhuman，andwhocouldtellwhentheirpathsinlifemightcrossagain，orwhatfuturetemptationTryonmightfeeltouseadamagingsecrettotheirdisadvantage？

Warwickhadcherishedcertainambitions，butthesehemustnowputbehindhim。Intheobscurityofprivatelife，hispastwouldbeoflittlemoment；intheglareofapoliticalcareer，one’santecedentsarepublicproperty，andtoogreatareserveinregardtoone’spastisregardedasaconfessionofsomethingdiscreditable。Frank，too，knewthesecret——agood，faithfulfellow，evenwheretherewasnoobligationoffidelity；heoughttodosomethingforFranktoshowtheirappreciationofhisconduct。

ButwhatassurancewastherethatFrankwouldalwaysbediscreetabouttheaffairsofothers？

JudgeStraightknewthewholestory，andoldmenaresometimesgarrulous。Dr。Greensuspectedthesecret；hehadawifeanddaughters。IfoldJudgeStraightcouldhaveknownWarwick’sthoughts，hewouldhaverealizedthefulfillmentofhisprophecy。

Warwick，whohadbuildedsowellforhimself，hadweakenedthestructureofhisownlifebytryingtosharehisgoodfortunewithhissister。

"Listen，Rena，"hesaid，withasuddenimpulse，"we’llgototheNorthorWest——I’llgowithyou——farawayfromtheSouthandtheSouthernpeople，andstartlifeoveragain。Itwillbeeasierforyou，itwillnotbehardforme——Iamyoung，andhavemeans。TherearenostrongtiestobindmetotheSouth。Iwouldhavealargeroutlookelsewhere。"

"Andwhataboutourmother？"askedRena。

Itwouldbenecessarytoleaveherbehind，theybothperceivedclearlyenough，unlesstheywerepreparedtosurrendertheadvantageoftheirwhitenessanddropbacktothelowerrank。ThemotherborethemarkoftheEthiopian——notpronouncedly，butdistinctly；neitherwouldMis’Molly，inallprobability，caretoleavehomeandfriendsandthegravesofherlovedones。Shehadnomentalresourcestosupplytheplaceofthese；shewas，moreover，toooldtobetransplanted；shewouldnotfitintoWarwick’sschemeforanewlife。

"Ileftheronce，"saidRena，"anditbroughtpainandsorrowtoallthreeofus。Sheisnotstrong，andIwillnotleaveherheretodiealone。

Thisshallbemyhomewhileshelives，andifI

leaveitagain，itshallbeforonlyashorttime，togowhereIcanwritetoherfreely，andhearfromheroften。Don’tworryaboutme，John，——Ishalldoverywell。"

Warwicksighed。Hewassincerelysorrytoleavehissister，andyethesawthatforthetimebeingherresolutionwasnottobeshaken。Hemustbidehistime。Perhaps，inafewmonths，shewouldtireoftheoldlife。Hisdoorwouldbealwaysopentoher，andhewouldchargehimselfwithherfuture。

"Well，then，"hesaid，concludingtheargument，"we’llsaynomoreaboutitforthepresent。I’llwritetoyoulater。Iwasafraidthatyoumightnotcaretogobackjustnow，andsoIbroughtyourtrunkalongwithme。"

Hegavehismotherthebaggage—check。ShetookitacrosstoFrank，who，duringtheday，broughtthetrunkfromthedepot。Mis’Mollyofferedtopayhimfortheservice，buthewouldacceptnothing。

"Lawd，no，Mis’Molly；Ididn’haftergoout’nmywaytergitdattrunk。Ihadaloadersperrit—

bairlsterhaulterdestill，an’dedepotwuzrightonmywayback。It’dberobbin’youtertakepayferalittlethinglackdat。"

"MysonJohn’shere，"saidMis’Molly"an’

hewantstoseeyou。Comeintothesettin’—room。

Wedon’twantfolkstoknowhe’sintown；butyouknowalloursecrets，an’wecantrustyoulikeoneerthefamily。"

"I’mgladtoseeyouagain，Frank，"saidWarwick，extendinghishandandclaspingFrank’swarmly。"You’vegrownupsinceIsawyoulast，butitseemsyouarestillourgoodfriend。"

"Ourverygoodfriend，"interjectedRena。

Frankthrewheragratefulglance。"Yas，suh，"

hesaid，lookingWarwickoverwithafriendlyeye，"an’youisgrowedsome，too。Iseedyou，youknow，downderewhereyoulive；butIdidn’leton，feryouan’Mis’Renawuzw’iteasanybody；

an’eve’ybodysaidyouwuzgoodterculludfolks，an’he’ped’emindeirlawsuitsan’onewayer’nuther，an’Iwuzjes’plum’gladterseeyougettin’’longsofine，datIwuz，certainsho’，an’nomistakeaboutit。"

"Thankyou，Frank，andIwantyoutounderstandhowmuchIappreciate"——

"Howmuchweallappreciate，"correctedRena。

"Yes，howmuchweallappreciate，andhowgratefulweallareforyourkindnesstomotherforsomanyyears。Iknowfromherandfrommysisterhowgoodyou’vebeentothem。"

"Lawd，suh！"returnedFrankdeprecatingly，"you’remakin’amountainout’namolehill。I

ain’tdonenuthin’terspeakof——nothalfezmuchezIwould’a’done。Iwuzgladterdow’atlittleIcould，ferfrien’ship’ssake。"

"Wevalueyourfriendship，Frank，andwe’llnotforgetit。"

"No，Frank，"addedRena，"wewillneverforgetit，andyoushallalwaysbeourgoodfriend。"

Franklefttheroomandcrossedthestreetwithswellingheart。HewouldhavegivenhislifeforRena。Akindwordwasdoublysweetfromherlips；noservicewouldbetoogreattopayforherfriendship。

WhenFrankwentouttothestablenextmorningtofeedhismule，hiseyesopenedwidewithastonishment。Inplaceofthedecrepit，one—eyedarmymulehehadputupthenightbefore，afat，sleekspecimenofvigorousmulehoodgreetedhisarrivalwiththesonoroushehawoflustyyouth。

Hangingonapegnearbywasasetoffinenewharness，andstandingundertheadjoiningshed，asheperceived，ahandsomenewcart。

"Well，well！"exclaimedFrank；"efIdidn’

mos’knowwhardismule，an’diskyart，an’disharnesscomefrom，I’d’lowdere’dbe’nwitcheraf’

ercunjin’wukkin’here。But，ohmy，datisafinemule！——Imos’wushIcouldkeep’im。"

Hecrossedtheroadtothehousebehindthecedars，andfoundMis’Mollyinthekitchen。

"Mis’Molly，"heprotested，"Iain’tdonenuthin’

terdeservedatmule。W’atlittleIdoneferyouwa’n’tdoneferpay。I’druthernotkeepdemthings。"

"Fergoodness’sake，Frank！"exclaimedhisneighbor，withawell—simulatedairofmystification，"whatareyoutalkin’about？"

"Youknowsw’atI’mtalkin’about，Mis’

Molly；youknowswellernuffI’mtalkin’aboutdatfinemulean’kyartan’harnessoverdereinmystable。"

"HowshouldIknowanythingabout’em？"

sheasked。

"Now，Mis’Molly！Youfolksisjes’tryin’terfoolme，an’makemetakesomethin’fernuthin’。

Ilef’myolemulean’kyartan’harnessindestablelas’night，an’dismawnin’dey’regone，an’

newonesindeirplace。Co’seyouknowswhardeycomefrom！"

"Well，now，Frank，senceyoumentionit，Ididseeawitchflyin’roun’herelas’nightonabroom—

stick，an’it’pearedtermeshelitonyo’rbarn，an’

Is’posesheturnedyo’roldthingsintonewones。

Iwouldn’tbothermymindaboutitifIwasyou，forshemayturn’embackanynight，youknow；

an’youmightaswellhavetheuseof’eminthemeanwhile。"

"Dat’sallfoolishness，Mis’Molly，an’I’mgwineterfetchdatmulerightoverherean’tellyo’sontergimmemyoleoneback。"

"Myson’sgone，"shereplied，"an’Idon’tknownothin’aboutyo’roldmule。AndwhatwouldIdowithamule，anyhow？Iain’tgotnobarntoputhimin。"

"Isuspectyoudon’tcaremuchforusafterall，Frank，"saidRenareproachfully——shehadcomeinwhiletheyweretalking。"Youmeetwithapieceofgoodluck，andyou’reafraidofit，lestitmighthavecomefromus。"

"Now，MissRena，yououghtn’ttersaydat，"

expostulatedFrank，hisreluctanceyieldingimmediately。

"I’llkeepdemulean’dekyartan’deharness——fac’，I’llhaveterkeep’em，’causeI

ain’tgotnoothers。Butdey’regwineterbeyo’nezmuchezmine。W’eneveryouwantsanythinghauled，erwantsyo’lotploughed，eranything——

dat’syo’mule，an’I’myo’manan’yo’mammy’s。"

SoFrankwentbacktothestable，wherehefeastedhiseyesonhisnewpossessions，fedandwateredthemule，andcurriedandbrushedhiscoatuntilitshonelikealooking—glass。

"Nowdat，"remarkedPeter，atthebreakfast—

table，wheninformedofthetransaction，"issomethin’

lackralew’itefolks。"

NorealwhitepersonhadevergivenPeteramuleoracart。Hehadrenderedoneofthemunpaidserviceforhalfalifetime，andhadpaidfortheotherhalf；andsomeofthemowedhimsubstantialsumsforworkperformed。But"tohimthathathshallbegiven"——Warwickpaidforthemule，andtherealwhitefolksgotmostofthecredit。

XX

DIGGINGUPROOTS

Whenthefirstgreatshockofhisdiscoveryworeoff，thefactofRena’soriginlosttoTryonsomeofitsinitialrepugnance——indeed，therepugnancewasnottothewomanatall，astheirpastrelationswereevidence，butmerelytothethoughtofherasawife。

ItcouldhardlyhavefailedtooccurtosoreasonableamanasTryonthatRena’scasecouldscarcelybeunique。SurelyinthepastcenturiesoffreemannersandeasymoralsthathadprevailedinremotepartsoftheSouth，theremusthavebeenmanywhitepersonswhoseoriginwouldnothavebornetoomicroscopicaninvestigation。Familytreesnotseldomhaveacrookedbranch；or，touseamoreappositefigure，manyaflockhasitsblacksheep。Beingamanoflivelyimagination，Tryonsoonfoundhimselfputtingallsortsofhypotheticalquestionsaboutamatterwhichhehadalreadydefinitelydetermined。IfhehadmarriedRenainignoranceofhersecret，andhadlearneditafterwards，wouldhehaveputheraside？If，knowingherhistory，hehadneverthelessmarriedher，andshehadsubsequentlydisplayedsometraitofcharacterthatwouldsuggestthenegro，couldhehaveforgottenorforgiventhetaint？Couldhestillhaveheldherinloveandhonor？Ifnot，couldhehavegivenhertheoutwardseemingofaffection，orcouldhehavebeenmorethancoldlytolerant？

Hewasgladthathehadbeensparedthisordeal。

Withaneffortheputthewholematterdefinitelyandconclusivelyaside，ashehaddoneahundredtimesalready。

Returningtohishome，afteranabsenceofseveralmonthsinSouthCarolina，itwasquiteapparenttohismother’swatchfuleyethathewasinserioustrouble。Hewasabsent—minded，monosyllabic，sigheddeeplyandoften，andcouldnotalwaysconcealthetracesofsecrettears。ForTryonwasyoung，andpossessedofasensitivesoul——asourceofhappinessormisery，astheFatesdecree。Tothosethusdowered，theheightsofraptureareaccessible，theabyssesofdespairyawnthreateningly；

onlythedullmonotonyofcontentmentisdenied。

Mrs。Tryonvainlysoughtbyeverygentleartawomanknowstowinherson’sconfidence。

"Whatisthematter，George，dear？"shewouldask，strokinghishotbrowwithhersmall，coolhandashesatmoodilynursinghisgrief。"Tellyourmother，George。Whoelsecouldcomfortyousowellasshe？"

"Oh，it’snothing，mother，——nothingatall，"

hewouldreply，withaforcedattemptatlightness。

"It’sonlyyourfondimagination，youbestofmothers。"

ItwasMrs。Tryon’sturntosighandshedaclandestinetear。UntilhersonhadgoneawayonthistriptoSouthCarolina，hehadkeptnosecretsfromher：hishearthadbeenanopenbook，ofwhichshekneweverypage；now，somepainfulstorywasinscribedthereinwhichhemeantsheshouldnotread。IfshecouldhaveabdicatedherempiretoBlancheLearyorhaveshareditwithher，shewouldhaveyieldedgracefully；butverypalpablysomeotherinfluencethanBlanche’shaddrivenjoyfromherson’scountenanceandlightnessfromhisheart。

MissBlancheLeary，whomTryonfoundinthehouseuponhisreturn，wasademure，prettylittleblonde，withanamiabledisposition，atalentforsociety，andapronouncedfondnessforGeorgeTryon。Apoorgirl，ofanexcellentfamilyimpoverishedbythewar，shewasdistantlyrelatedtoMrs。Tryon，hadforalongtimeenjoyedthatlady’sfavor，andwasherchoiceforGeorge’swifewhenheshouldbeoldenoughtomarry。AwomanlessinterestedthanMissLearywouldhaveperceivedthattherewassomethingwrongwithTryon。

MissLearyhadnodoubtthattherewasawomanatthebottomofit，——foraboutwhatelseshouldyouthworrybutlove？orifone’sloveaffairsrunsmoothly，whyshouldoneworryaboutanythingatall？MissLeary，inthenineteenyearsofhermundaneexistence，hadnotbeenwithoutmildexperiencesoftheheart，andhadhoveredforsometimeonthevergeofdisappointmentwithrespecttoTryonhimself。Asensitivepridewouldhavedrivenmorethanonewomanawayatthesightofthemanofherpreferencesighinglikeafurnaceforsomeabsentfairone。ButMrs。Tryonwassocordial，andinsistedsostrenuouslyuponherremaining，thatBlanche’slove，whichwasstrong，conqueredherpride，whichwasnomorethanareasonableyoungwomanoughttohavewhosetssuccessabovemeresentiment。Sheremainedinthehouseandbidedheropportunity。IfGeorgepracticallyignoredherforatime，shedidnotthrowherselfatallinhisway。Shewentonavisittosomegirlsintheneighborhoodandremainedawayaweek，hopingthatshemightbemissed。Tryonexpressednoregretatherdepartureandnoparticularsatisfactionuponherreturn。Ifthehousewasdullerinherabsence，hewasbutdimlyconsciousofthedifference。Hewasstillfightingabattleinwhichasusceptibleheartandareasonablemindhadlockedhornsinawell—nighhopelessconflict。Reason，common—sense，theinstinctiveready—madejudgmentsofhistrainingandenvironment，——

thedeep—seatedprejudicesofraceandcaste，——commandedhimtodismissRenafromhisthoughts。Hisstubbornheartsimplywouldnotletgo。

XXI

AGILDEDOPPORTUNITY

AlthoughthewholefabricofRena’snewlifetoppledandfellwithherlover’sdefection，hersympathies，broadenedbycultureandstillmorebyherrecentemotionalexperience，didnotshrink，aswouldhavebeenthecasewithamoreselfishsoul，tothemerelimitsofherpersonalsorrow，greatasthisseemedatthemoment。Shehadlearnedtolove，andwhentheloveofonemanfailedher，sheturnedtohumanity，asastreamobstructedinitscourseoverflowstheadjacentcountry。Herearlytraininghadnotdirectedherthoughtstothedarkerpeoplewithwhosefateherownwasboundupsoclosely，butratherawayfromthem。Shehadbeentaughttodespisethembecausetheywerenotsowhiteasshewas，andhadbeenslaveswhileshewasfree。Herlifeinherbrother’shome，byremovingherfromimmediatecontactwiththem，hadgivenheradifferentpointofview，——onewhichemphasizedtheirshortcomings，andtherebymadevastlyclearertoherthegulfthatseparatedthemfromthenewworldinwhichshelived；sothatwhenmisfortunethrewherbackuponthem，thereactionbroughthernearerthanbefore。Whereonceshehadseemedabletoescapefromthem，theywerenow，itappeared，herinalienablerace。Thusdoublyequipped，shewasabletoviewthematoncewiththementaleyeofanoutsiderandthesympathyofasister：shecouldseetheirfaults，andjudgethemcharitably；sheknewandappreciatedtheirgoodqualities。Withherquickenedintelligenceshecouldperceivehowgreatwastheirneedandhowsmalltheiropportunity；andwiththisilluminationcamethedesiretocontributetotheirhelp。

Shehadnotthebreadthorculturetoseeinallitsramificationsthegreatproblemwhichstillpuzzlesstatesmenandphilosophers；butshewasconsciousofthewish，andofthepower，inasmallway，todosomethingfortheadvancementofthosewhohadjustsettheirfeetupontheladderofprogress。