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"'Pears like it's just taking everything off the place to oncet!" and Mammy gave way to a passion of grief. Miss Ophelia pushed her and Tom gently from the apartment, and thought they were all gone; but, as she turned, Topsy was standing there. "Where did you start up from?" she said, suddenly. "I was here," said Topsy, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Jerry of her white and gold rooms on the Avenue. In the morning it would be a trip down town, where Topsy and Bonfire would wait before the big stores, watching the traffic and people, until Mrs. Jerry reappeared. After luncheon they generally took her through the Park or up and down the Avenue to teas and receptions. In the evening they were often harnessed again to take Mr. and Mrs.
'Cousin, what in the world have you brought that thing here for? she asked, in dismay. 'For you to teach, to be sure, and train in the way she should go, said Mr. St. Clare, laughing. 'Topsy, he went on, 'this is your new mistress. See, now, that you behave yourself. 'Yes, mas'r, said Topsy gravely, but her eyes had a wicked twinkle in them.
"I think that's wicked." "I am wicked, as Topsy used to say. Do you hunt?" "No." "Do you shoot?" "Shoot! What; with a gun?" "Yes. I was staying in a house last week with a lady who shot a good deal." "No; I don't shoot." "Do you ride?" "No; I wish I did. I have never ridden because I've no one to ride with me." "Do you drive?" "No; I don't drive either." "Then what do you do?"
We have this moment returned from church, to which the children love to go; it is the great excitement of the week. They sit very quietly, except Topsy, but how much they understand I cannot say. The people sing with deliberation, each syllable being made to do duty for three, to prolong the enjoyment or the agony according as your musical talent decides.
'Never had no father, nor mother, nor nothin! Miss Ophelia hardly knew what to make of her. 'How long have you lived with your master and mistress, then? she asked. 'Dunno, missis. 'Is it a year, or more, or less? 'Dunno, missis. 'Have you ever heard anything about God, Topsy? asked Miss Ophelia next. Topsy looked puzzled, but kept on grinning. 'Do you know who made you?
Like Topsy, perhaps it 'growed. Like the late Lord Beaconsfield on a famous occasion, 'on the side of the angels. Like Brer Rabbit, 'To lie low and say nuffin. Like Oliver Twist, 'To ask for more. Like Sam Weller's knowledge of London, 'extensive and peculiar. Like Napoleon, a believer in 'the big battalions.
Well, what else?" "I took Rosa's yer-rings, them red ones." "Go bring them to me this minute, both of 'em." "Laws, Missis! I can't, they 's burnt up!" "Burnt up! what a story! Go get 'em, or I'll whip you." Topsy, with loud protestations, and tears, and groans, declared that she could not. "They 's burnt up, they was." "What did you burn 'em for?" said Miss Ophelia. "Cause I 's wicked, I is.
'Topsy, tearful and grief-stricken, 'gets off' right and washes up to 'do' 'Little Eva' climbing the golden stair in the last tableau. Meanwhile 'Uncle Tom, in a paroxysm of grief, throws himself upon the bed and holds the stage till he smells the red fire for the vision; then he staggers down stage, strikes an attitude; the others do likewise; picture of 'Little Eva, curtain.
"None o' your sa'ce!" said Rosa, "I saw you hiding something, I know yer tricks," and Rosa seized her arm, and tried to force her hand into her bosom, while Topsy, enraged, kicked and fought valiantly for what she considered her rights. The clamor and confusion of the battle drew Miss Ophelia and St. Clare both to the spot. "She's been stealing!" said Rosa.
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