I had not seen Betty since morning.  Now I heard her softly turning the key.  As soon as she entered, I clung to her, and begged her to let me know whether my children were dead, or whether they were sold; for I had seen their spirits in my room, and I was sure something had happened to them.  “Lor, chile,” said she, putting her arms round me, “you’s got de high-sterics.  I’ll sleep wid you to-night, ’cause you’ll make a noise, and ruin missis.  Something has stirred you up mightily.  When you is done cryin, I’ll talk wid you.  De chillern is well, and mighty happy.  I seed ’em myself.  Does dat satisfy you?  Dar, chile, be still!  Somebody vill hear you.”  I tried to obey her.  She lay down, and was soon sound asleep; but no sleep would come to my eyelids.

At dawn, Betty was up and off to the kitchen.  The hours passed on, and the vision of the night kept constantly recurring to my thoughts.  After a while I heard the voices of two women in the entry.  In one of them I recognized the housemaid.  The other said to her, “Did you know Linda Brent’s children was sold to the speculator yesterday.  They say ole massa Flint was mighty glad to see ’em drove out of town; but they say they’ve come back agin.  I ’spect it’s all their daddy’s doings.  They say he’s bought William too.  Lor! how it will take hold of ole massa Flint!  I’m going roun’ to aunt Marthy’s to see ’bout it.”

I bit my lips till the blood came to keep from crying out.  Were my children with their grandmother, or had the speculator carried them off?  The suspense was dreadful.  Would Betty never come, and tell me the truth about it?  At last she came, and I eagerly repeated what I had overheard.  Her face was one broad, bright smile.  “Lor, you foolish ting!” said she.  “I’se gwine to tell you all ’bout it.  De gals is eating thar breakfast, and missus tole me to let her tell you; but, poor creeter! t’aint right to keep you waitin’, and I’se gwine to tell you.  Brudder, chillern, all is bought by de daddy!  I’se laugh more dan nuff, tinking ’bout ole massa Flint.  Lor, how he vill swar!  He’s got ketched dis time, any how; but I must be getting out o’ dis, or dem gals vill come and ketch me.”

Betty went off laughing; and I said to myself, “Can it be true that my children are free?  I have not suffered for them in vain.  Thank God!”

Great surprise was expressed when it was known that my children had returned to their grandmother’s.  The news spread through the town, and many a kind word was bestowed on the little ones.

Dr. Flint went to my grandmother’s to ascertain who was the owner of my children, and she informed him.  “I expected as much,” said he.  “I am glad to hear it.  I have had news from Linda lately, and I shall soon have her.  You need never expect to see her free.  She shall be my slave as long as I live, and when I am dead she shall be the slave of my children.  If I ever find out that you or Phillip had anything to do with her running off I’ll kill him.  And if I meet William in the street, and he presumes to look at me, I’ll flog him within an inch of his life.  Keep those brats out of my sight!”