'You may say I am improving company, for I've improved you all to some purpose; though as to my conversation being as my friend Mr.Ellis here describes it, that is not for me to say anything about.

You, gentlemen, are the best judges on that point; but this I will say, when I came into this parish, and first used this room, ten years ago, I don't believe there was one man in it, who knew he was a slave--and now you all know it, and writhe under it.

Inscribe that upon my tomb, and I am satisfied.' 'Why, as to inscribing it on your tomb,' said a little greengrocer with a chubby face, 'of course you can have anything chalked up, as you likes to pay for, so far as it relates to yourself and your affairs; but, when you come to talk about slaves, and that there abuse, you'd better keep it in the family, 'cos I for one don't like to be called them names, night after night.' 'You _are_ a slave,' said the red-faced man, 'and the most pitiable of all slaves.' 'Werry hard if I am,' interrupted the greengrocer, 'for I got no good out of the twenty million that was paid for 'mancipation, anyhow.' 'A willing slave,' ejaculated the red-faced man, getting more red with eloquence, and contradiction--'resigning the dearest birthright of your children--neglecting the sacred call of Liberty--who, standing imploringly before you, appeals to the warmest feelings of your heart, and points to your helpless infants, but in vain.' 'Prove it,' said the greengrocer.
'Prove it!' sneered the man with the red face.

'What! bending beneath the yoke of an insolent and factious oligarchy; bowed down by the domination of cruel laws; groaning beneath tyranny and oppression on every hand, at every side, and in every corner.

Prove it!--' The red-faced man abruptly broke off, sneered melo-dramatically, and buried his countenance and his indignation together, in a quart pot.
'Ah, to be sure, Mr.Rogers,' said a stout broker in a large waistcoat, who had kept his eyes fixed on this luminary all the time he was speaking.