to devouring greedily. Tidy had to reason long
and stoutly with the refractory girl before she could persuade her to
return to the house; and when she accomplished her purpose, she was
probably not aware of the real motive that wrought in that dark, stupid
negro mind. It was not the fear of an increased punishment, if she
remained longer absent,--it was not the faint hope that Tidy held
up, that if she humbly asked her mistress's pardon, she might be
forgiven,--but the thought that if she did not at once return, Tidy must
suffer in her stead, was too much for her. She was, notwithstanding her
black skin and rude nature, too generous to allow that.

So the two wended their way to the kitchen in great trepidation, and
Tidy, stepping round to the sitting-room, timidly informed her mistress
of the arrival, adding in most beseeching manner, "Please, Missus, don't
whip her, 'caus she's so sorry."

"You mind your own business, little sauce-box, or you'll catch it too.
When I want your advice, I'll come for it," and seizing her whip which
she kept on a shelf close by, she proceeded to the kitchen. Miss Matilda
followed, determined to see that justice was done to one at least.

The poor frightened girl fell on her knees.

"Oh, Missus," she cried, "dear Missus, do 'scuse me. I'll neber do dat
ting over 'gin! I'll neber run away 'gin! I'll neber do noffin! Oh,
Missus, please don't, oh, dear,"--as notwithstanding the appeal, the
angry blow fell. Before another could descend, Miss Matilda laid her
hand upon her sister's arm.

"Excuse the girl, Susan," she said, gently, "excuse her just this once,
and give her a trial. See if she won't do better."

It was very hard, for it was contrary to her nature, for Mrs. Lee to
show mercy. However, she did yield, and after a very severe reprimand to
the culprit, and a very unreasonable, angry speech to Tidy, who, to
to [sic] her thinking, had become implicated in Frances' guilt, she
dismissed them both from her presence,--the one chuckling over her
fortunate escape, and the other querying in her mind, whether or no
this unhoped-for mercy was another answer to prayer. Miss Matilda made
a remark as they retired, which Tidy heard, whether it was designed for
her ear or not.

"I always have designed to give that child her liberty when she is old
enough; and if any thing prevents my doing so, I hope she will take it
herself."

Take her liberty! What did that mean? Tidy laid up the saying, a