Now , at one stroke , he had lost both his kind master and his hope of freedom . Instead of going home , he was to be sent farther away than ever from his dear ones . He could not bear it . He tried to say , `` Thy will be done '' , but bitter tears almost choked the words . He had one hope left . He would ask Miss Ophelia to speak to Mrs. St. Clare for him . ` Mas ' r St. Clare promised me my freedom , Miss Feely , ' he said . ` He told me that he had begun to take it out for me . And now , perhaps , if you would be good enough to speak about it to missis , she would feel like going on with it . Seeing it was Mas ' r St. Clare 's wish , she might . ' ` I 'll speak for you , Tom , and do my best , ' said Miss Ophelia . ' I have n't much hope , but I will try . ' So Miss Ophelia asked Mrs. St. Clare to set Tom free . ` Indeed , I shall do no such thing , ' she replied . ` Tom is worth more than any of the other slaves . I could n't afford to lose so much money . Besides , what does he want with his freedom ? He is a great deal better off as he is . ' ` But he does want it very much , ' replied Miss Ophelia . ` And his master promised it to him . ' '
I dare say he does want it , ' replied Mrs. St. XXXXX .
Clare Feely Mas Ophelia Tom choked left missis money stroke