If you are really willing I should have her, I want you to
give me a paper saying she is mine.'
'But you think it is wicked to keep slaves. Now you want to have one of
your own. Oh! shocking, cousin,' said Mr. St. Clare, who loved to tease.
'Nonsense! I only want to have her, so that I can set her free.'
'Very well,' said Mr. St. Clare, 'I will write the paper for you.' Then
he sat down and began to read.
'But I want it done now,' said Miss Ophelia.
'Why are you in such a hurry?'
'Because now is the only time there ever is to do a thing in,' said Miss
Ophelia. 'want to make sure of it. You may die or lose all your money.
Then Topsy would be taken away and sold, in spite of anything I could
say.'
Mr. St. Clare hated being made to do things when he didn't want to.
However, after teasing his cousin a little more, he wrote out the paper,
and Topsy belonged to Miss Ophelia. That evening Mr. St. Clare went out
for a ride.
Tom saw him go, and asked if he should come too. 'No, my boy,' said Mr.
St. Clare, 'I shall be back in an hour.'
Tom sat down on the verandah to wait till his master came home. While he
waited, he fell asleep.
Presently he was awakened by loud knocking, and the sound of voices at
the gate.
He ran to open it.
Several men were there carrying a load.
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