Haley fancied the child; he agreed to settle the matter that way, and no other.

I was in his power, and _had_ to do it.

If you feel so to have them sold, would it be any better to have _all_ sold ?" Mrs.Shelby stood like one stricken.

Finally, turning to her toilet, she rested her face in her hands, and gave a sort of groan.
"This is God's curse on slavery!--a bitter, bitter, most accursed thing!--a curse to the master and a curse to the slave! I was a fool to think I could make anything good out of such a deadly evil.

It is a sin to hold a slave under laws like ours,--I always felt it was,--I always thought so when I was a girl,--I thought so still more after I joined the church; but I thought I could gild it over,--I thought, by kindness, and care, and instruction, I could make the condition of mine better than freedom--fool that I was!" "Why, wife, you are getting to be an abolitionist, quite." "Abolitionist! if they knew all I know about slavery, they _might_ talk! We don't need them to tell us; you know I never thought that slavery was right--never felt willing to own slaves." "Well, therein you differ from many wise and pious men," said Mr.
Shelby.