Дванадцять років рабства
Chapter 6
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.