You don't seem half proud enough of them," he continued, looking down upon his wife affectionately.
Mrs.Garie, who was half reclining on the seat, and leaning her head upon his shoulder, replied, "Oh, yes, I am, Garie; I'm sure I love them dearly--oh, so dearly!" continued she, fervently--"and I only wish"-- here she paused, as if she felt she had been going to say something that had better remain unspoken.
"You only wish what, dear?
You were going to say something," rejoined her husband.

"Come, out with it, and let me hear what it was." "Oh, Garie, it was nothing of any consequence." "Consequence or no consequence, let me hear what it was, dear." "Well, as you insist on hearing it, I was about to say that I wish they were not little slaves." "Oh, Em! Em!" exclaimed he, reproachfully, "how can you speak in that manner?
I thought, dear, that you regarded me in any other light than that of a master.

What have I done to revive the recollection that any such relation existed between us?
Am I not always kind and affectionate?
Did you ever have a wish ungratified for a single day, if it was in my power to compass it?
or have I ever been harsh or neglectful ?" "Oh, no, dear, no--forgive me, Garie--do, pray, forgive me--you are kindness itself--believe me, I did not think to hurt your feelings by saying what I did.

I know you do not treat me or them as though we were slaves.

But I cannot help feeling that we are such--and it makes me very sad and unhappy sometimes.