"Call him, Miss Johnson." Alice obeyed, and Sam came hobbling in, listening in amazement to Hugh's question.
"Would you like to be free, my boy ?" There was a sudden flush on the old man's cheek, and then he answered, meekly: "Thanky', Mas'r Hugh.

It comed a'most too late.

Years ago, when Sam was young and peart, de berry smell of freedom make de sap bump through de veins like trip-hammer.

Den, world all before, now world all behind.
Nothing but t'other side of Jordan before.

'Bleeged to you, berry much, but when mas'r bought ole Sam for pity, ole Sam feel in his bones that some time he pay Mas'r Hugh; he don't know how, but it be's comin'.