Dey always want to set dey seff up for sumfin' big." With this remark the old cook gave one of her coarse laughs, and continued: "Missis understands human nature, don't she?
Ah! if she ain't a whole team and de ole gray mare to boot, den Dinah don't know nuffin'." Of course, the mistress was out of the kitchen before these last remarks were made.
It was with the deepest humiliation that Henry learned from one of his own slaves the treatment which his child was receiving at the hands of his relentless mother-in-law.
The scorching sun had the desired effect; for in less than a fortnight, Clotelle could scarcely have been recognized as the same child.

Often was she seen to weep, and heard to call on her mother.
Mrs.Miller, when at church on Sabbath, usually, on warm days, took Nancy, one of her servants, in her pew, and this girl had to fan her mistress during service.

Unaccustomed to such a soft and pleasant seat, the servant would very soon become sleepy and begin to nod.

Sometimes she would go fast asleep, which annoyed the mistress exceedingly.

But Mrs.Miller had nimble fingers, and on them sharp nails, and, with an energetic pinch upon the bare arms of the poor girl, she would arouse the daughter of Africa from her pleasant dreams.