` Do n't you think so ? ' said Eva . ` No . She ca n't bear me , 'cause I 'm a nigger . She 'd as soon have a toad touch her . There ca n't nobody love niggers , and niggers ca n't do nothin ' . I do n't care , ' and Topsy began whistling to show that she did n't . ` Oh , Topsy ! I love you , ' said Eva , laying her little , thin hand on Topsy 's shoulder . ' I love you , because you have n't had any mother , or father , or friends ; because you have been a poor , ill-used child . I love you , and I want you to be good . It makes me sorry to have you so naughty . I wish you would try to be good for my sake , because I 'm going to die soon . I sha n't be here very long . ' Topsy 's round , bright eyes grew suddenly dim with tears . She did believe at last that it was possible for some one to love her . She laid her head down between her knees and wept and sobbed . ` Poor Topsy , ' said Eva gently . -LSB- Illustration -RSB- ` Oh , Miss Eva , dear Miss Eva , ' cried the poor little black child , ' I will try , I will try . I never did care nothin ' about it before . '
CHAPTER XVI EVA 'S LAST GOOD-BYE It soon became quite plain to everybody that XXXXX was very ill indeed .
Eva Miss Poor Topsy child eyes father knees shoulder toad