replied Miss Matilda. "She always does as she is
told, and I have never had occasion to punish her in my life; and I can
not consent to her being treated severely."

"We shall see," said Mrs. Lee; "but, I tell you, I take no impudence
from my hands."

Miss Matilda's stipulation and her constant presence in the family no
doubt screened Tidy from much that was unpleasant from her new mistress;
for if children or servants are ever so well inclined, an ugly and
easily excited temper in a superior will provoke evil dispositions in
them, and MAKE occasions of punishment. But in this case the mistress
was evidently held in check. A knock on the head sometimes, a kick or a
cross word, was the greatest severity she ventured to inflict; so that,
upon the whole, the new home was a pleasant and happy one.

The services Tidy was required to render were a perfect delight to her.
Like all children, she liked to be associated with those of her own age,
and, though called a slave, to all intents and purposes she was
received as the playmate and companion of Amelia and Susan. They were
good-natured, agreeable little girls, and it was a pleasure rather
than a task to walk to and from school, and carry their books and
dinner-basket for them. And to go into the play-house, and have the
handling of the dolls, the tea-sets, and toys, was employment as
charming as it was new.

The nursery was in the cabin of Mammy Grace, which was situated a few
steps from the family mansion, and was distinguished from the log-huts
of the other slaves, by having brick walls and two rooms. The inner room
contained the baby's cradle, a crib for the little one who had not yet
outgrown his noon-day nap, her own bed, and now a cot for Tidy. In the
outer stood the spinning-wheel,--at which the old nurse wrought when not
occupied with the children,--a small table, an old chest of drawers, and
a few rude chairs. Some old carpets which had been discarded from the
house were laid over the floors, and gave an air of comfort to the
place. One shelf by the side of the fireplace held all the china and
plate they had to use; for, you must know, little readers, that slave
cabins contain very few of the conveniences which are so familiar to
you. To assert, as some people do, that the negroes do not need them, is
simply to say that they have never been used to the common comforts of
life, and so do not know their worth.

Nevertheless, the place with all its scantiness of f