human
Why, who have you been talking to? she asked, as I came up.
gpt
It looks like Nat Turner.
human
No other, I answered.
gpt
Do you know anything of him?
human
Oh, yes, she exclaimed;
gpt
That I clearly perceived, I answered;
human
Excellent, she replied.
gpt
He is, I have heard, a kind, good creature; but most austere and self-denying; eats very little, drinks nothing but water; and does not associate much with the other negroes, though he has a very great influence over them when he pleases to exert it. But he is quiet and inoffensive; and, therefore, his influence is beneficial rather than otherwise. In his hours of leisure he may be seen reading at the door of his cabin, while the others are dancing and singing, and, indeed, his conduct might be an example to many a white man I wot of.
human
Should such a man be kept in slavery, Bessy?
gpt
You must not put such questions to me, Cousin Richard, she answered.
human
All we women in Virginia are, more or less, abolitionists, except when we encounter some of the northern fanatics, and then we stand upon the defensive, telling them they have no right to meddle with us. Indeed, one half of the State is in favour of emancipation; and I should not wonder if an Act for that purpose were to pass next year; though, heaven knows what we should do with the poor creatures if we did free them, for nine out of ten are quite incapable of taking care of, or providing for, themselves. I suppose we should have to become the slaves in their place, and work for them, for, assuredly, no negro will work for himself or any one else if he can help it--no, cousin, not even the paragon Nat Turner. He has, indeed, as you say, a good number of the African traits, and seems to have, as it were, two characters, one full of power and capability, and the other feeble and not to be cultivated--at least so Mr. Travis says. He is, moreover, marvellously superstitious--a believer in all sorts of signs and portents. You should go and see him in his cabin, Richard; he would take it as a great compliment.
gpt
I will, some day, I answered.
human
But now, whither are you bending your steps?
gpt
Wherever fancy leads, and the air is freshest,
human
Then take my arm, and let us seek it,
gpt
No, no, she replied, laughing;
human
Then take mine,
gpt
Very prudish customs, indeed, dear Bessy,
human
There! you shall not call _me_ prudish, at least. I abhor a prude. Coquette I dare say you have called me in your heart a hundred times already; but you are wrong there, too, cousin mine. Having resolved, long ago, never to marry, I make use of my independence, and say what I like to any one; but that is all. I care not one straw for admiration, or anything of the kind.
gpt
Are you then the woman whose resolutions can never be changed?
human
The woman! she exclaimed, with a toss of the head.
gpt
Do you mean to imply that every woman is weak and irresolute?
human
Not at all, I answered.
gpt
That does not follow, dear cousin. A woman would show herself more weak by keeping a resolution founded upon mistaken grounds, than by breaking it. You are not so weak as to keep your resolution if you have good cause for casting it away.
human
As what? she asked.
gpt
What cause can I ever have?
human
Love, I answered.
gpt
If you found a man who loved you sincerely, and whom you could love in return, you would break it to-morrow, and do well.