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Updated: June 14, 2025
You could begin to- morrow, if you wished." "Yes, indeed! Mother, you think of everything," declared Sylvia. "Why, that will be better than going to school!" "But we must not let your own studies be neglected," her mother reminded her, "so after you have given Estralla a morning lesson each day you and I will study together and keep up with Grace and Flora.
"Perhaps Flora will own up," Grace said, as the two girls followed Mrs. Fulton down the stairs. "Anyway, you are mighty fair about it, and you're good to that stupid little darky." "Oh, Estralla isn't stupid. Not a bit," replied Sylvia laughingly.
My mammy say we'll stay right here 'til Massa Fulton goes, an' den" Estralla stopped, leaned a little nearer to Sylvia and whispered, "an' den my mammy an' I we'se gwine to go with Massa Fulton." Mrs. Fulton was not in her room, so Sylvia went down the stairs to look for her. She heard voices in the sitting-room, and turned in that direction. "Oh!" she whispered, as she stood in the open door.
Robert Waite's and have it all settled this morning," Sylvia replied, putting on her pretty new hat. "You may come, too," she added. "Yas, Missy. Wat yo' reckon Massa Robert gwine to say?" questioned Estralla earnestly. "I think I will take the money," Sylvia said, not answering Estralla's question; "then Mr. Waite will be sure that I can pay him." Mrs.
"Wat dat clock say?" she asked; for one of the city clocks was striking the hour. "It's twelve o'clock," answered Sylvia. "Oh! My lan', Missy! Dat's a terrible onlucky time fer us to be out," whispered Estralla. "Dat's de time w'en witch folks comes a-dancin' an' a-prancin' 'roun' and takes off chilluns."
"We must begin to pack at once," declared Sylvia's mother, "and do not go outside the gate alone, Sylvia. I wish we could leave Charleston immediately." "Won't I see Mrs. Carleton again?" Sylvia asked anxiously. "I do not know, dear child, but run away and give Estralla her lesson, as usual. It will not be a very gay Christmas for any of us this year," responded Mrs.
Sylvia knew that all the negroes believed in witches and all sorts of impossible tales, so Estralla's words did not at all frighten her, but she did wish that she was safe in her own home. The streets were now dark and silent, and black shadows seemed to lurk at every corner as, hand in hand, Estralla and Sylvia ran swiftly along.
It was a very sober little darky who came up to Sylvia's room the next morning. She set down the pitcher of water and moved silently toward the door. "What's the matter, Estralla?" Sylvia called; for usually Estralla was all smiles, and had a good deal to say. Estralla shook her head. "Nuffin', Missy. I knowed you couldn't do nuffin' 'bout it. My mammy says how nobody can." "Wait, Estralla!
"When he knows it stands for slavery," she thought, wondering if he had entirely forgotten about Dinkie. "I'll have to run, or I'll be late for school," declared Grace. "I'll be all ready when you call," and with a gay good-bye she was off down the street, leaving Sylvia and Estralla standing alone near the high wall which enclosed the garden of the Hayes house.
She knew that slavery was a dreadful thing. "Where are they taking us?" questioned Sylvia, for she realized that the vessel was moving swiftly through the water. She wondered why Captain Carleton had gone away. Seeing Estralla there gave her a dreadful certainty that what the little darky said might be true.
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