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. Clare . ` But not by law . There is no use my trying to make this child a Christian , unless I can be quite sure that she will not be sold as a slave again . If you are really willing I should have her , I want you to give me a paper saying she is mine . ' ` But you think it is wicked to keep slaves . Now you want to have one of your own . Oh ! shocking , cousin , ' said Mr. St. Clare , who loved to tease . ` Nonsense ! I only want to have her , so that I can set her free . '
` Very well , ' said Mr. St. XXXXX , ' I will write the paper for you . '
Christian Clare Ophelia Tom Topsy children course girl home mine