Dan acted in gross disobedience, and thoroughly deserved the punishment Jonas was about to give him.

The work of the estate cannot be carried on if such conduct is to be tolerated; and once for all, I will permit no interference on your part with Jonas.

If you have any complaints to make, come to me and make them; but you are not to interfere in any way with the overseer.

As for Dan, I have directed Jonas that the next time he gives cause for complaint he is to go into the fields." Vincent stood silent for a minute, then he said quietly: "Very well, mother.

Of course you can do as you like; but at any rate I will not keep my mouth shut when I see that fellow ill-treating the slaves.