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What was that? No! It could not be— it could not be ! She strained nearer to the door, listening with every nerve, every muscle, while the child whimpered about her skirts, uncomprehending.
"Hush, Harry — hush, mother's lamb!" she begged him breathlessly. "Mother must listen — she must heah what they're sayin' in thar. Oh, my Gawd!"
The boy struggled, terrified, in the sudden strangling clutch of her arms. But the dark face bent above him was tearless. Grief may weep; not utter Tragedy.
"Sell you — that's what mas'r says," whispered the mother, slowly. "Take you away from me whar I'll never see you again — do you heah, baby ? Hush, dear, dont cry. Mother '11 take keer of you. ' '
She staggered, with him still frantically held to her bosom, into her own little room and laid him on the bed. She must think, must plan. But the dumb brain of her stood motionless, as in a nightmare the sleeper sees a wild horror advancing upon him and yet cannot move. She was of a race trained by grim generations to obey, not to act. An animal does not reason. Eliza, dark-haired, young
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in womanhood and beauty, was an animal in the eyes of the law.
"Why, Eliza child, what is the matter? I've rung for you five times ! ' ' The voice was slightly petulant, but kind. The girl turned to face her mistress, with a little cry of relief.
"Oh, missus! oh, missus!" she gasped breathlessly. "You wouldn't let mas'r sell my Harry, would you? I heard them talking in thar just now, him an' Mas'r Haley, the trader, and I thought— I thought "
"Nonsense! Sell Harry!" Mrs. Shelby was amused. She patted the girl's clasped hands reassuringly. "Why, I believe your master would just as soon think of selling our own son. Now, dry your eyes, my dear, for I have good news. Your husband is out on the porch, waiting to see you."
"George? Heah?" Eliza ran to the glass to hide the traces of her recent fear. Not to him, her husband, could she tell it. He had so much to bear himself, poor George.
"Come, Harry — come see papa," she cried, setting the boy on his feet and smoothing back his long, dark curls. The child followed her shyly, peering about her skirts at the new