'Why? I don't know. It seems dreadful to me.'

'You would think it was quite right and natural if you saw Eva playing
with a large dog, even if he was black. But a fellow-creature that can
think, and reason, and feel, and is immortal, you shudder at. I know how
you north-country people feel about it. You loathe the blacks as you
would a toad or a snake. Yet you pity them, and are angry because they
are often ill-treated.'

'Well, cousin,' said Miss Ophelia thoughtfully, 'I daresay you are
right. I suppose I must try to get over my feeling.'




CHAPTER X


UNCLE TOM'S LETTER


Uncle Tom felt that he was indeed very fortunate to have found such a
kind master and so good a home. He had nice clothes, plenty of food, and
a comfortable room to sleep in. He had no hard, disagreeable work to do.
His chief duties were to drive Mrs. St. Clare's carriage when she wanted
to go out, and to attend on Eva when she wanted him. He soon grew to
love his little mistress very, very much indeed.

Mr. St. Clare too began to find Tom very useful. He was dreadfully
careless about money, and his chief servant was just as careless as his