SCENE III.—Front Chamber.

Enter TOPSY.

  Dar's somethin' de matter wid me—I isn't a bit like myself. I haven't done anything wrong since poor Miss Eva went up in de skies and left us. When I's gwine to do anything wicked, I tinks of her, and somehow I can't do it. I's getting to be good, dat's a fact. I 'spects when I's dead I shall be turned into a little brack angel.

  Topsy, I've been looking for you; I've got something very particular to say to you.

  Does you want me to say the catechism?

  No, not now.

  [Aside.] Golly! dat's one comfort.

  Now, Topsy, I want you to try and understand what I am going to say to you.

  Yes, missis, I'll open my ears drefful wide.

  Mr. St. Clare has given you to me, Topsy.

  Den I b'longs to you, don't I? Golly! I thought I always belong to you.

  Not till to-day have I received any authority to call you my property.

  I's your property, am I? Well, if you say so, I 'spects I am.

  Topsy, I can give you your liberty.

  My liberty?

  Yes, Topsy.

  Has you got 'um with you?

  I have, Topsy.

  Is it clothes or wittles?

  How shiftless! Don't you know what your liberty is, Topsy?

  How should I know when I never seed 'um?

  Topsy, I am going to leave this place; I am going many miles away—to my own home in Vermont.

  Den what's to become of dis chile?

  If you wish to go, I will take you with me.

  Miss Feely, I doesn't want to leave you no how, I loves you I does.

  Then you shall share my home for the rest of your days. Come, Topsy.

  Stop, Miss Feely; does dey hab any oberseers in Varmount?

  No, Topsy.

  Nor cotton plantations, nor sugar factories, nor darkies, nor whipping nor nothing?

  No, Topsy.

  By Golly! de quicker you is gwine de better den.

  Oh, Miss Feely! Miss Feely!

  Gracious me, Tom! what's the matter?

  Oh, Mas'r St. Clare! Mas'r St. Clare!

  Well, Tom, well?

  They've just brought him home and I do believe he's killed?

  Killed?

  Oh dear! what's to become of de poor darkies now?

  He's dreadful weak. It's just as much as he can do to speak. He wanted me to call you.

  My poor cousin! Who would have thought of it? Don't say a word to his wife, Tom; the danger may not be so great as you think; it would only distress her. Come with me; you may be able to afford some assistance. [Exeunt, L. 1 E.]