But at last she became so unwell, that even Mr. St. Clare had to own that something was wrong, and the doctor was sent for.

In a week or two she was very much better.  Once more she ran about playing and laughing, and her father was delighted.  Only Miss Ophelia and the doctor sighed and shook their heads.  And little Eva herself knew; but she was not troubled.  She knew she was going to God.

‘Papa’ she said one day, ’there are some things I want to say to you.  I want to say them now while I am able.’

She seated herself on his knee, and laid her head on his shoulder.

’It is all no use, papa, to keep it to myself any longer.  The time is coming when I am going to leave you.  I am going, never to come back’, and Eva sobbed.

‘Eva, darling, don’t say such things; you are better you know.’

’No, papa, I am not any better.  I know it quite well, and I am going soon.’

‘And I want to go,’ she went on, ’only I don’t want to leave you—­it almost breaks my heart.’

‘Don’t, Eva, don’t talk so.  What makes you so sad?’

’I feel sad for our poor people.  I wish, papa, they were all free.  Isn’t there any way to have all slaves made free?’

’That is a difficult question, dearest.  There is no doubt that this way is a very bad one.  A great many people think so.  I do myself.  I wish there was not a slave in the land.  But then, I don’t know what is to be done about it.’

’Papa, you are such a good man, and so noble and kind.  Couldn’t you go all around and try and persuade people to do right about this?  When I am dead, papa, then you will think of me, and do it for my sake.’

‘When you are dead, Eva!  Oh, child, don’t talk to me so.’

’Promise me at least, father, that Tom shall have his freedom, as soon as I am gone.’

‘Yes, dear, I will do anything you wish.  Only don’t talk so.’

Miss Ophelia and Eva had been to church together.  Miss Ophelia had gone to her room to take off her bonnet, while Eva talked to her father.

Suddenly Mr. St. Clare and his little girl heard a great noise coming from Miss Ophelia’s room.  A minute later she appeared, dragging Topsy behind her.

‘Come out here’ she was saying.  ‘I will tell your master.’

‘What is the matter now?’ asked Mr. St. Clare.

‘The matter is that I cannot be plagued with this child any longer’ said Miss Ophelia.  ’It is past all bearing.  Here, I locked her up, and gave her a hymn to learn.  What does she do, but spy out where I put my key.  She has gone to my wardrobe, taken a bonnet-trimming, and cut it all to pieces to make dolls’ jackets!  I never saw anything like it in my life.’

[Illustration]

‘I don’t know what to do’ she went on; ’I have taught and taught.  I have talked till I’m tired.  I’ve whipped her.  I’ve punished her in every way I can think of, and still she is as naughty as she was at first.’