Двенадцать лет рабства

           Ilingeredaslongasprudencepermitted,andwasaboutleavingtheroom,whenEppsinquired, 

           "Platt,doyouknowthisgentleman?" 

           "Yes,master,"Ireplied,"IhaveknownhimaslongasIcanremember." 

           "Wheredoeshelive?" 

           "HelivesinNew-York." 

           "Didyoueverlivethere?" 

           "Yes,master—bornandbredthere." 

           "Youwasfree,then. Nowyoud——dnigger,"heexclaimed,"whydidyounottellmethatwhenIboughtyou?" 

           "MasterEpps,"Ianswered,inasomewhatdifferenttonethantheoneinwhichIhadbeenaccustomedtoaddresshim—"MasterEpps,youdidnottakethetroubletoaskme;besides,Itoldoneofmyowners—themanthatkidnappedme—thatIwasfree,andwaswhippedalmosttodeathforit." 

           "Itseemstherehasbeenaletterwrittenforyoubysomebody. Now,whoisit?" hedemanded,authoritatively. Imadenoreply. 

           "Isay,whowrotethatletter?"hedemandedagain. 

           "PerhapsIwroteitmyself,"Isaid. 

           "Youhaven’tbeentoMarksvillepost-officeandbackbeforelight,Iknow." 

           Heinsisteduponmyinforminghim,andIinsistedIwouldnot. Hemademanyvehementthreatsagainsttheman,whoeverhemightbe,andintimatedthebloodyandsavagevengeancehewouldwreakuponhim,whenhefoundhimout. Hiswholemannerandlanguageexhibitedafeelingofangertowardstheunknownpersonwhohadwrittenforme,andoffretfulnessattheideaoflosingsomuchproperty.