After this, Miss Lucretia was my friend.

I felt her to be such; and I have no doubt that the simple act of binding up my head, did much to awaken in her mind an interest in my welfare.

It is quite true, that this interest was never very marked, and it seldom showed itself in anything more than in giving me a piece of bread when I was hungry; but this was a great favor on a slave plantation, and I was the only one of the children to whom such attention was paid.{103} When very hungry, I would go into the back yard and play under Miss Lucretia's window.

When pretty severely pinched by hunger, I had a habit of singing, which the good lady very soon came to understand as a petition for a piece of bread.

When I sung under Miss Lucretia's window, I was very apt to get well paid for my music.
The reader will see that I now had two friends, both at important points--Mas' Daniel at the great house, and Miss Lucretia at home.
From Mas' Daniel I got protection from the bigger boys; and from Miss Lucretia I got bread, by singing when I was hungry, and sympathy when I was abused by that termagant, who had the reins of government in the kitchen.