What you are, Clarence, your false position and unfortunate education have made you.

I write it with pain--your demand seems extremely selfish.

I fear it is not of _me_ but of _yourself_ you are thinking, when you ask me to sever, at once and for ever, my connection with a people who, you say, can only degrade me.

Yet how much happier am I, sharing their degradation, than you appear to be! Is it regard for me that induces the desire that I should share the life of constant dread that I cannot but feel you endure--or do you fear that my present connections will interfere with your own plans for the future?
"Even did I grant it was my happiness alone you had in view, my objections would be equally strong.

I could not forego the claims of early friendship, and estrange myself from those who have endeared themselves to me by long years of care--nor pass coldly and unrecognizingly by playmates and acquaintances, because their complexions were a few shades darker than my own.