Mr. Flint often took an inspection of the house, to see that no one was idle.  The entire management of the work was trusted to me, because he knew nothing about it; and rather than hire a superintendent he contented himself with my arrangements.  He had often urged upon his father the necessity of having me at the plantation to take charge of his affairs, and make clothes for the slaves; but the old man knew him too well to consent to that arrangement.

When I had been working a month at the plantation, the great aunt of Mr. Flint came to make him a visit.  This was the good old lady who paid fifty dollars for my grandmother, for the purpose of making her free, when she stood on the auction block.  My grandmother loved this old lady, whom we all called Miss Fanny.  She often came to take tea with us.  On such occasions the table was spread with a snow-white cloth, and the china cups and silver spoons were taken from the old-fashioned buffet.  There were hot muffins, tea rusks, and delicious sweetmeats.  My grandmother kept two cows, and the fresh cream was Miss Fanny’s delight.  She invariably declared that it was the best in town.  The old ladies had cosey times together.  They would work and chat, and sometimes, while talking over old times, their spectacles would get dim with tears, and would have to be taken off and wiped.  When Miss Fanny bade us good by, her bag was filled with grandmother’s best cakes, and she was urged to come again soon.

There had been a time when Dr. Flint’s wife came to take tea with us, and when her children were also sent to have a feast of “Aunt Marthy’s” nice cooking.  But after I became an object of her jealousy and spite, she was angry with grandmother for giving a shelter to me and my children.  She would not even speak to her in the street.  This wounded my grandmother’s feelings, for she could not retain ill will against the woman whom she had nourished with her milk when a babe.  The doctor’s wife would gladly have prevented our intercourse with Miss Fanny if she could have done it, but fortunately she was not dependent on the bounty of the Flints.  She had enough to be independent; and that is more than can ever be gained from charity, however lavish it may be.

Miss Fanny was endeared to me by many recollections, and I was rejoiced to see her at the plantation.  The warmth of her large, loyal heart made the house seem pleasanter while she was in it.  She staid a week, and I had many talks with her.  She said her principal object in coming was to see how I was treated, and whether any thing could be done for me.  She inquired whether she could help me in any way.  I told her I believed not.  She condoled with me in her own peculiar way; saying she wished that I and all my grandmother’s family were at rest in our graves, for not until then should she feel any peace about us.  The good old soul did not dream that I was planning to bestow peace upon her, with regard to myself and my children; not by death, but by securing our freedom.