on 'em?--and all the while does they feel one bit, don't dey drink and
smoke, and take it oncommon easy? Lor, if the devil don't get them,
what's he good for?" And Aunt Chloe covered her face with her checked
apron, and began to sob in good earnest.

"Pray for them that 'spitefully use you, the good book says," says Tom.

"Pray for 'em!" said Aunt Chloe; "Lor, it's too tough! I can't pray for
'em."

"It's natur, Chloe, and natur 's strong," said Tom, "but the Lord's
grace is stronger; besides, you oughter think what an awful state a poor
crittur's soul 's in that'll do them ar things,--you oughter thank
God that you an't _like_ him, Chloe. I'm sure I'd rather be sold, ten
thousand times over, than to have all that ar poor crittur's got to
answer for."

"So 'd I, a heap," said Jake. "Lor, _shouldn't_ we cotch it, Andy?"

Andy shrugged his shoulders, and gave an acquiescent whistle.

"I'm glad Mas'r didn't go off this morning, as he looked to," said Tom;
"that ar hurt me more than sellin', it did. Mebbe it might have been
natural for him, but 't would have come desp't hard on me, as has known
him from a baby; but I've seen Mas'r, and I begin ter feel sort o'
reconciled to the Lord's will now. Mas'r couldn't help hisself; he did
right, but I'm feared things will be kinder goin' to rack, when I'm gone
Mas'r can't be spected to be a pryin' round everywhar, as I've done, a
keepin' up all the ends. The boys all means well, but they 's powerful
car'less. That ar troubles me."