Двенадцать лет рабства

           Yes,hewouldtakethenonsenseoutofherprettyquick—ifhedidn’t,mighthebed—d. Elizashrunkbeforehim,andtriedtowipeawayhertears,butitwasallinvain. Shewantedtobewithherchildren,shesaid,thelittletimeshehadtolive. AllthefrownsandthreatsofFreeman,couldnotwhollysilencetheafflictedmother. Shekeptonbeggingandbeseechingthem,mostpiteously,nottoseparatethethree. Overandoveragainshetoldthemhowshelovedherboy. Agreatmanytimessherepeatedherformerpromises—howveryfaithfulandobedientshewouldbe;howhardshewouldlabordayandnight,tothelastmomentofherlife,ifhewouldonlybuythemalltogether. Butitwasofnoavail;themancouldnotaffordit. Thebargainwasagreedupon,andRandallmustgoalone. ThenElizarantohim;embracedhimpassionately;kissedhimagainandagain;toldhimtorememberher—allthewhilehertearsfallingintheboy’sfacelikerain. 

           Freemandamnedher,callingherablubbering,bawlingwench,andorderedhertogotoherplace,andbehaveherself,andbesomebody. Hesworehewouldn’tstandsuchstuffbutalittlelonger. Hewouldsoongivehersomethingtocryabout,ifshewasnotmightycareful,andthatshemightdependupon. 

           TheplanterfromBatonRouge,withhisnewpurchases,wasreadytodepart. 

           "Don’tcry,mama. Iwillbeagoodboy. Don’tcry,"saidRandall,lookingback,astheypassedoutofthedoor. 

           Whathasbecomeofthelad,Godknows. Itwasamournfulsceneindeed. IwouldhavecriedmyselfifIhaddared.