` But , Tom , you could n't possibly have earned by your work such clothes and such nice , comfortable rooms and good food as I have given you . ' ' I knows all that , Mas ' r St. Clare . Mas ' r has been too good . But , mas ` r , I 'd rather have poor clothes , poor house , poor everything , and have 'em mine than have the best , and have 'em any man 's else . I had so , mas ` r. I thinks it 's nature , mas ` r. ' ' I suppose so , Tom . You will be going off and leaving me , in a month or two , ' he said , rather discontentedly . ` Though why you should n't , I do n't know , ' he added , in a gayer voice . -LSB- Illustration -RSB- ` Not while mas ' r is in trouble , ' said Tom . ` I 'll stay with mas ' r as long as he wants me -- so as I can be of any use . ' ` Not while I am in trouble , Tom ? ' said Mr. St. Clare , looking sadly out of the window . ` And when will my trouble be over ? ' Then half-smiling he turned from the window , and laid his hand on Tom 's shoulder . ` Ah , Tom , you soft , silly boy , ' he said . ' I wo n't keep you . Go home to your wife and children , and give them all my love . ' ` Cousin , ' said Miss Ophelia , coming into the room , ' I want to speak to you about Topsy . ' ` What has she been doing now ? ' -LSB- Illustration -RSB- ` Nothing ; she is a much better girl than she used to be . But I want to ask you , whose is she -- yours or mine ? '
` Why yours , of course ; I gave her to you , ' said Mr. St. XXXXX .
Clare Ophelia Tom Topsy gayer girl home house mas month