He had depended too much for many years on his wife's superior intellect: now he had to act for himself; and he acted.

But he spoke of her, like any knight of old, as of a guardian goddess--his guardian still in the other world, as she had been in this.
He was happy enough, he said: but I was told that he had to endure much vexation from the neighbouring Negroes, who were Baptists, narrow and conceited; and who--just as the Baptists of the lower class in England would be but too apt to do--tormented him by telling him that he was not sure of heaven, because he went to church instead of joining their body.

But he, though he went to chapel in wet weather, clung to his own creed like an old soldier; and came down to Massa's house to spend the Sunday whenever there was a Communion, walking some five miles thither, and as much back again.
So much I learnt concerning old Isaac.

And when in the afternoon he toddled away, and back into the forest, what wonder if I felt like Wordsworth after his talk with the old leech-gatherer ?-- 'And when he ended, I could have laughed myself to scorn to find In that decrepit man so firm a mind; God, said I, be my help and stay secure, I'll think of thee, leech-gatherer, on the lonely moor.' On the Monday morning there was a great parade.

All the Coolies were to come up to see the Governor; and after breakfast a long line of dark people arrived up the lawn, the women in their gaudiest muslins, and some of them in cotton velvet jackets of the richest colours.