He would have been surprised could he have known how he was discussed, or how the stories grew as they travelled.
Those who had any claim whatever to a former acquaintance stopped at the cottage to see him.

Their interest and the little offerings of fruit or flowers, which they often made their excuse for coming, touched him greatly.

To all who came he spoke freely of his hopes.

Realizing that he might have but the one opportunity, he talked as only a man can talk who feels the responsibilities of a lifetime crowded into one short hour.
One by one they came and listened, and went away with a new expression on their faces, and a new ambition in their hearts.
To all these people he was "Brothah Chadwick;" to the three old slaves bound to him by ties almost as strong as those of kinship, he could never be other than Jintsey's boy; but to two persons he was known as the "Rev'und Gawge." Mars' Nat took to calling him that in a joking way, but John Jay gave him the title almost with awe.

It seemed to set him apart in the child's reverent affection as one who had come up out of great tribulation to highest honor.