xiety and trembling of heart
that Hester approached her father at the same hour.

"Now mind how you doos," said the doubtful Sally, as she glanced keenly
at Hester's face. "Mind, I'll hab no marcy on you if you gibs way!"

Hester made no reply, for she was drawing near to her father, and saw
that he was gazing at her with fixed intensity. She raised her heart to
God and received strength to pass without a word or look, dropping the
biscuits as on the previous day. The man, however, proved less capable
of self-restraint than the girl, for he could not resist whispering,
"Hester!"

The poor girl turned towards him as if by an irresistible impulse, but
her black guardian angel was equal to the emergency. Seizing Hester by
the shoulder, she pushed her violently forward, storming at her loudly
as on the former occasion.

"What, you black t'ing! Hab you neber seen slabes before? You no
better'n de white folk, wastin' ob your purcious time. My! won't you
get a whackin' fro' missis w'en you gits home!"

Recovering herself, Hester at once submitted.

At first the poor father was about to start up and run to embrace his
child, as well as to rescue her from her rude companion, but, being what
is termed a "sharp man of business," he received into his mind, as it
were, a flash of light, and sat still. If this flash had been analysed
it would probably have produced the following thoughts--"biscuits!
kindness! companion a friend! ignorance impossible! violence
unaccountable! a ruse, perhaps! sit still!"

Thought, they say, is swifter than light. At all events, it was swift
enough on the present occasion to prevent the shadow of a suspicion
arising in the minds either of slaves or guards, who seemed to be rather
amused at what they fancied was the bad temper of Sally.

Next day the biscuit-dropping was repeated without the scene that had
followed, and so wisely was this affair managed by all the parties
concerned, that it was carried on for several weeks without a hitch.
Under the influence of hope and improved fare, Hugh Sommers became so
much brighter in spirits and better in health, and so much more
tractable, that his guards at length removed his heavy fetters and
allowed him to toil with free limbs, like the majority of the slaves.
Hester also became almost cheerful under the wonderful influence of
hope. But Hester and her father were each overwhelmed, more or less, by
a wet blanket at that time, and, strange to