Tom’s widow was not as spry as she once was. Days and nights of nursing in the Soldiers’ Home had brought weights heavier than years upon her valiant frame. Now she was old. But she could take things easy. Jack Haley was head of the house. The boarders could not be prevailed upon to move, and the dark woman in the kitchen would have served just as faithfully without wages. Frederick’s supper was being kept warm on the back of the stove and his room was ready. She lifted the shade and peered anxiously out into the dark night. “I do hope he gets a cab. This is a bad night for him to be out on these streets alone.” Her guest smiled. “Frederick Douglass can take care of himself, madam,” he said. “You should not worry about him.” “Oh, but I _do_!” And Amelia’s blue eyes opened wide. Francis Cardoza, his eyes on the white hands and pulsing, crinkled throat, marveled anew at the children of God. When Douglass came he was deeply apologetic, but they waved aside his concern. “It is nothing,” they said. “We knew you were busy.” Amelia would not let them talk until he had eaten, and when he shook his head, saying he could not keep Mr. Cardoza waiting any longer, Cardoza laughed. “Might as well give in, Mr. Douglass.” So they all went to the dining room, and Amelia insisted that the young man join her Frederick in his late supper. Here in the friendly room, beside the roaring fire, the happenings of the day no longer seemed so crushing. He told them everything, and they listened, feeling his disappointment. Then Amelia spoke their thought aloud. “If only Mr. Lincoln had lived!” She left them then after explaining to Douglass, “I invited Mr. Cardoza to spend the night, but he has relatives here in Washington.” They were both on their feet, bowing as she left. Amelia smiled and thought, “Always such lovely manners.” The two men settled down before the fire for serious talk. Francis Cardoza was well informed. He might easily be taken for a white man, and so had heard much not intended for his ears. “I talked today with Thaddeus Stevens,” he told Douglass. “I told him what I had seen of the black codes, and he told me of Senator Sumner’s magnificent speech in the Senate two days ago. He swears they’ll get the Civil Rights Bill through in spite of Johnson.” “And I believe they will!” Douglass agreed. He leaned forward eagerly. “You have brought the petition?” “Yes, sir.” Cardoza was unfolding a manuscript. “Here is an exact copy of the document presented by us to the Convention assembled at Columbia. These words of the freedmen of South Carolina are our best argument. Read!” He handed the sheets to Douglass. It was a long document and Douglass read slowly. This then came from “those savage blacks”!