They are a perfect set of stubborn stupidities, and driving is the only
thing to suit them, depend on it."
Louis looked more than he said, only recalling that the blame for this
could not rest on the slave alone. "I do not imagine I could enjoy
slave-owning. I feel the majority of slave-owners lower themselves until
they stand beneath the level of the brutes."
Father said, "It is all wrong."
Aunt Hildy added, "All kind of bondage is ungodly, and the days will
bring some folks to knowledge."
"Out of the depth into the light," said Clara, and our meal was over.
The days flew by on wings, each wing a promise, and it was a week after
we plighted our vows ere I felt ready to read that letter and hear what
Louis had to say. Then something came to prevent, and another week had
passed when Louis said:
"My Emily, I must have a talk with your father and mother. I cannot
feel quite satisfied, and it is only right they should be consulted, for
you are their own good girl. I would wait for their hearts to say, 'take
her,' if I waited years, but then, my Emily, it is neither giving nor
taking, for every change that is right does not ask us ever to give
ourselves or our loved ones away. I dislike that term."
"You may wait, Louis; I will tell mother, and she can tell father."
"No, no, Emily! It is I who ask for your hand, and is it not my
privilege as well as duty?"
"What a strange man you are growing to be, Louis! Hal couldn't bear the
thought of telling mother or father his heart affairs, and I was the
medium of communication between them.
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