'Don't you think so?' said Eva.

'No. She can't bear me, 'cause I'm a nigger. She'd as soon have a toad
touch her. There can't nobody love niggers, and niggers can't do
nothin'. I don't care,' and Topsy began whistling to show that she
didn't.

'Oh, Topsy! I love you,' said Eva, laying her little, thin hand on
Topsy's shoulder. 'I love you, because you haven't had any mother, or
father, or friends; because you have been a poor, ill-used child. I love
you, and I want you to be good. It makes me sorry to have you so
naughty. I wish you would try to be good for my sake, because I'm going
to die soon. I shan't be here very long.'

Topsy's round, bright eyes grew suddenly dim with tears. She did believe
at last that it was possible for some one to love her. She laid her head
down between her knees and wept and sobbed.

'Poor Topsy,' said Eva gently.

[Illustration]

'Oh, Miss Eva, dear Miss Eva,' cried the poor little black child, 'I
will try, I will try. I never did care nothin' about it before.'




CHAPTER XVI