The papers he read had been sharp schoolmasters, and of slave life he knew nothing except from his aunt's pleasant memories of plantation life when a girl on a great Maryland manor.

That she could betray to servitude the years of grey-haired freedom seemed to John incredible of the angel of kindly helpfulness.

He stood still in thought, troubled by his boy-share of puzzle over a too mighty problem.
Josiah, a little uneasy, said, "What was you thinkin', Mr.John ?" The young fellow replied smiling, "Do you think Aunt Ann would hurt anybody?
Do you think she would send word to some one--to take you back?
Anyhow she can't know who was your master." The old black nodded slowly, "Mr.John, she born mistress and I born slave; she can't help it--and they was good people too--all the people that owned me.

They liked me too.

I didn't have to work except holdin' horses and trainin' colts--and housework.