The slaves had enjoyed a
brief sense and sweet hope of freedom; he was seeking to refasten
the yoke with brutal hands and it galled as never before. Even his
narrow arbitrary nature was impressed with the truth that a great
change was taking place; that a proclamation issued hundreds of
miles away was more potent than his heavy hand. He was as incapable
of any policy other than force as was his employer of abandoning the
grooves in which his thoughts had always run.
The worrisome afternoon finally ended, leaving the harassed man free
to seek consolation from his jug. Mr. Baron relapsed into his quiet
yet bitter mental protest. "Ole miss" maintained inexorable
discipline over the yard and house slaves, keeping all busy in
removing every stain and trace of the hospital. She governed by fear
also, but it was the fear which a resolute, indomitable will
produces in weaker natures.
Mrs. Waldo already felt uncomfortable. There was no lack of outward
courtesy, but the two women had so little in common that there was
almost a total absence of sympathy between them.
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