Дванадцять років рабства

           Atlengthhecameout. Takingoffmyhat,IinformedhimMasterTibeatshaddirectedmetocalluponhimforakegofnails. Goingintothestore-room,herolleditout,atthesametimesaying,ifTibeatspreferredadifferentsize,hewouldendeavortofurnishthem,butthatImightusethoseuntilfurtherdirected. Thenmountinghishorse,whichstoodsaddledandbridledatthedoor,herodeawayintothefield,whithertheslaveshadprecededhim,whileItookthekegonmyshoulder,andproceedingtotheweaving-house,brokeinthehead,andcommencednailingontheclapboards. 

           Asthedaybegantoopen,TibeatscameoutofthehousetowhereIwas,hardatwork. Heseemedtobethatmorningevenmoremoroseanddisagreeablethanusual. Hewasmymaster,entitledbylawtomyfleshandblood,andtoexerciseovermesuchtyrannicalcontrolashismeannatureprompted; buttherewasnolawthatcouldpreventmylookinguponhimwithintensecontempt. Idespisedbothhisdispositionandhisintellect. Ihadjustcomeroundtothekegforafurthersupplyofnails,ashereachedtheweaving-house. 

           "IthoughtItoldyoutocommenceputtingonweather-boardsthismorning,"heremarked. 

           "Yes,master,andIamaboutit,"Ireplied. 

           "Where?"hedemanded. 

           "Ontheotherside,"wasmyanswer. 

           Hewalkedroundtotheotherside,examinedmyworkforawhile,mutteringtohimselfinafault-findingtone. 

           "Didn’tItellyoulastnighttogetakegofnailsofChapin?"hebrokeforthagain.