'I shall have to give her up,' said Miss Ophelia. 'I can't have that
trouble any longer.'

Eva had stood silent, listening. Now she took Topsy by the hand, and led
her into a little room close by.

'What makes you so naughty, Topsy?' she said, with tears in her eyes.
'Why don't you try to be good? Don't you love anybody, Topsy?'

'Dunno nothin' 'bout love. I love candy, that's all.'

'But you love your father and mother?'

'Never had none, ye know. I telled ye that, Miss Eva.'

'Oh, I forgot,' said Eva sadly. 'But hadn't you any brother, or sister
or aunt, or--'

'No, none on 'em. Never had nothin' nor nobody.'

'But, Topsy, if you would only try to be good you might--'

'Couldn't never be nothin' but a nigger, if I was ever so good,' said
Topsy. 'If I could be skinned, and come white, I'd try then.'

'But people can love you, if you are black, Topsy. Miss Ophelia would
love you if you were good.'

Topsy laughed scornfully.