Of course, you are not to do anything wrong, but you are not bound not to do anything they may happen not to like." In this style he went on, believing he spoke the truth, and was teaching her to show a proper spirit.

His heart, as well as Godfrey's, was uplifted, to think he had this lovely creature to direct and superintend: through her sweet confidence, he had to set her free from unjust oppression taking advantage of her simplicity.

But in very truth he was giving her just the instruction that goes to make a slave--the slave in heart, who serves without devotion, and serves unworthily.

Yet in this, and much more such poverty-stricken, swine-husk argument, Letty seemed to hear a gospel of liberty, and scarcely needed the following injunctions of Tom, to make a firm resolve not to utter a word concerning him.

To do so would be treacherous to him, and would be to forfeit the liberty he had taught her! Thus, from the neglect of a real duty, she became the slave of a false one.
"If you do," Tom had said, "I shall never see you again: they will set every one about the place to watch you, like so many cats after one poor little white mousey, and on the least suspicion, one way or another, you will be gobbled up, as sure as fate, before you can get to me to take care of you." Letty looked up at him gratefully.
"But what could you do for me if I did ?" she asked.