[Clotelle by William Wells Brown]@TWC D-Link bookClotelle CHAPTER XIX 3/6
I can't whip one of them, without being in danger of having my life taken." "I am sure, papa," replied the young lady,--"I am sure I never did any thing intentionally to induce any of the servants to disobey your orders." "No, my dear," said Mr.Wilson, "but you are too kind to them.
Now, there is Clotelle,--that girl is completely spoiled.
She walks about the house with as dignified an air as if she was mistress of the premises. By and by you will be sorry for this foolishness of yours." "But," answered Georgiana, "Clotelle has a superior mind, and God intended her to hold a higher position in life than that of a servant." "Yes, my dear, and it was your letting her know that she was intended for a better station in society that is spoiling her.
Always keep a negro in ignorance of what you conceive to be his abilities," returned the parson. It was late on the Saturday afternoon, following the capture of Jerome that, while Mr.Wilson was seated in his study preparing his sermon for the next day, Georgiana entered the room and asked in an excited tone if it were true that Jerome was to hanged on the following Thursday. The minister informed her that such was the decision of the court. "Then," said she, "Clotelle will die of grief." "What business has she to die of grief ?" returned the father, his eyes at the moment flashing fire. "She has neither eaten nor slept since he was captured," replied Georgiana; "and I am certain that she will not live through this." "I cannot be disturbed now," said the parson; "I must get my sermon ready for to-morrow.
I expect to have some strangers to preach to, and must, therefore, prepare a sermon that will do me credit." While the man of God spoke, he seemed to say to himself,-- "With devotion's visage, and pious actions, We do sugar over the devil himself." Georgiana did all in her power to soothe the feelings of Clotelle, and to induce her to put her trust in God.
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