Двенадцать лет рабства

           Duringourabsence,IlearnedfromAuntPhebeandPatsey,thatthelatterhadbeengettingdeeperanddeeperintotrouble. Thepoorgirlwastrulyanobjectofpity. "OldHogjaw,"thenamebywhichEppswascalled,whentheslaveswerebythemselves,hadbeatenhermoreseverelyandfrequentlythanever. AssurelyashecamefromHolmesville,elatedwithliquor—anditwasofteninthosedays—hewouldwhipher,merelytogratifythemistress; wouldpunishhertoanextentalmostbeyondendurance,foranoffenceofwhichhehimselfwasthesoleandirresistiblecause. Inhissobermomentshecouldnotalwaysbeprevailedupontoindulgehiswife’sinsatiablethirstforvengeance. 

           ToberidofPatsey—toplaceherbeyondsightorreach,bysale,ordeath,orinanyothermanner,oflateyears,seemedtobetherulingthoughtandpassionofmymistress. Patseyhadbeenafavoritewhenachild,eveninthegreathouse. Shehadbeenpettedandadmiredforheruncommonsprightlinessandpleasantdisposition. Shehadbeenfedmanyatime,soUncleAbramsaid,evenonbiscuitandmilk,whenthemadam,inheryoungerdays,waswonttocallhertothepiazza,andfondleherasshewouldaplayfulKitten. Butasadchangehadcomeoverthespiritofthewoman. Now,onlyblackandangryfiendsministeredinthetempleofherheart,untilshecouldlookonPatseybutwithconcentratedvenom.