And why do you fear him ?" "Da's what I don' know, massa," replied the negro with a puzzled look.
"Is he harsh, then ?" "No." "Passionate ?" "No.

Gentle as a lamb." "Strong ?" "Yes--oh! mighty strong an' big." "Surely you're not afraid of his giving you a licking, Moses ?" "Oh no," returned the negro, with a smile of expansive benignity; "I's not 'fraid ob dat.

I's bin a slabe once, got used to lickin's.

Don't care nuffin' at all for a lickin'!" "Then it must be that you're afraid of hurting his feelings, Moses, for I know of no other kind of fear." "Pr'aps da's it!" said the negro with a bright look, "now I wouldn't wonder if you's right, Massa Nadgel.

It neber come into my head in dat light before.