Where, all this time, was Miss Bradly? She, in her terror, had buried her head upon the bed, on which young master still slept. She tried to drown the sound of those frantic cries that reached her, despite the closed door and barred shutter. Oh, did they not reach the ear of Almighty love? "Well, I am glad," exclaimed Miss Tildy, "that it is all over. Somehow, Jane, I did not like the sound of those young children's cries. Might it not have been well to let Amy go too?" "No, of course not. Now that Lindy has been sold, we need a house-girl, and Amy may be made a very good one; besides, she enraged me so by attempting to spoil the sale of Ben." "Did she do that? Oh, well, I have no pity for her." "It would be something very new, Till, for you to pity a nigger." "So it would--yet I was weak enough to feel badly when I heard the children scream." "Oh, you are only nervous." "I believe I am, and think I will take some medicine." "Take medicine," to stifle human pity! "What rhubarb, senna, or what purgative drug would scour" the slaveholder's nature of harshness and brutality? Could this be found, "I would applaud to the very echo, that should applaud again;" but, alas! there is no remedy for it. Education has taught many of them to guard their "beloved institution" with a sort of patriotic fervor and religious zeal. When master returned that evening, he was elated to a wonderful degree. Tompkins had paid him a large sum in ready cash, and this put him in a good humor with himself and everybody else. He almost felt kindly toward the negroes. But I looked upon him with more than my usual horror. That great, bloated face, blazing now with joy and the effect of strong drink, was revolting to me. Every expression of delight from his lips brought to my mind the horrid troubles he had caused by the simple exercise of his tyrannic will upon helpless women and children. The humble appearance of Ginsy, the touching innocence of her child, the unnoticed silent grief of Lindy, the fearful, heart-rending distraction of Amy, the agony of her helpless sisters and brother, all rose to my mind when I heard Mr. Peterkin's mirthful laugh ringing through the house. Late in the evening young master roused up. The effect of the somnolent draught had died out, and he woke in full possession of his faculties. Miss Bradly and I were with him when he woke. Raising himself quickly in the bed, he asked, "What hour is it?" "About half-past six," said Miss Bradly. "So late? Then am I afraid that all is over! Where is Lindy?" "Try and rest a little more; then we can talk!" "No, I must know _now_." "Wait a while longer." "Tell me instantly," he said with a nervous impatience very unusual to him. "Drink this, and I will then talk to you," said Miss Bradly, as she held a cordial to his lips. Obediently he swallowed it, and, as he returned the glass, he asked, "How has this wretched matter terminated? What has become of that unfortunate girl?"