University of Virginia Library

SCENE III

A Rude Chamber. Tom is discovered, in old clothes, seated on a stool. He holds in
his hand a paper containing a curl of Eva's hair. The scene opens to the symphony
of “Old Folds at Home.”

TOM:

I have come to de dark places; I's going through de vale of shadows. My
heart sinks at times and feels just like a big lump of lead. Den it gits up in my
throat and chokes me till de tears roll out of my eyes; den I take out dis curl of
little Miss Eva's hair, and the sight of it brings calm to my mind and I feels
strong again. (Kisses the curl and puts it in his breast—takes out a silver dollar,
which is suspended around his neck by a string.)
Dere's de bright silver dollar
dat Mas'r George Shelby gave me the day I was sold away from old Kentuck,
and I've kept it ever since. Mas'r George must have grown to be a man by this
time. I wonder if I shall ever see him again.

(Song. “Old Folks at Home.” Enter Legree, Emmeline, Sambo and Quimbo.)

LEGREE:

Shut up, you black cuss! Did you think I wanted any of your
infernal howling? (Turns to Emmeline.)
We're home. (Emmeline shrinks from
him. He takes hold of her ear.)
You didn't ever wear earrings?

EMMELINE:

(Trembling.)
No, master.

LEGREE:

Well, I'll give you a pair, if you're a good girl. You needn't be so
frightened; I don't mean to make you work very hard. You'll have fine times
with me and live like a lady; only be a good girl.

EMMELINE:

My soul sickens as his eyes gaze upon me. His touch makes my
very flesh creep.

LEGREE:

(Turns to Tom, and points to Sambo and Quimbo.)
Ye see what ye'd get
if ye'd try to run off. These yer boys have been raised to track niggers and they'd
just as soon chaw one on ye up as eat their suppers; so mind yourself. (To Em-
meline.)
Come, mistress, you go in here with me. (Taking Emmeline's hand,
and leading her off.)

EMMELINE:

(Withdrawing her hand, and shrinking back.)
No, no! let me work
in the fields; I don't want to be a lady.

LEGREE:

Oh! you're going to be contrary, are you? I'll soon take all that
out of you.

EMMELINE:

Kill me, if you will.

LEGREE:

Oh! you want to be killed, do you? Now come here, you Tom,
you see I told you I didn't buy you jest for the common work; I mean to promote
you and make a driver of you, and to-night ye may jest as well begin to get yer
hand in. Now ye jest take this yer gal, and flog her; ye've seen enough on't to
know how.

TOM:

I beg mas'r's pardon—hopes mas'r won't set me at that. It's what I
a'nt used to—never did, and can't do—no way possible.

LEGREE:

Ye'll larn a pretty smart chance of things ye never did know before
I've done with ye. (Strikes Tom with whip, three blows. Music chord each
blow.)
There! now will ye tell me ye can't do it?

TOM:

Yes, mas'r! I'm willing to work night and day, and work while
there's life and breath in me; but his yer thing I can't feel it right to do, and,
mas'r, I never shall do it, never!

LEGREE:

What! ye black beast! tell me ye don't think it right to do what I tell ye!
What have any of you cussed cattle to do with thinking what's right? I'll put a
stop to it. Why, what do ye think ye are? May be ye think yer a gentleman,
master Tom, to be telling your master what's right and what a'nt! So you pre-
tend it's wrong to flog the gal?

TOM:

I think so, mas'r; 'twould be downright cruel, and it's what I never
will do, mas'r. If you mean to kill me, kill me; but as to raising my hand agin
any one here, I never shall—I'll die first!

LEGREE:

Well, here's a pious dog at last, let down among us sinners—powerful
holy critter he must be. Here, you rascal! you make believe to be so pious, didn't
you never read out of your Bible, “Servants, obey your masters”? An't I your
master? Didn't I pay twelve hundred dollars, cash, for all there is inside your
cussed old black shell? An't you mine, body and soul?

TOM:

No, no! My soul a'nt yours, mas'r; you haven't bought it—ye can't
buy it; it's been bought and paid for by one that is able to keep it, and you can't
harm it!

LEGREE:

I can't? we'll see, we'll see! Here, Sambo! Quimbo! give this dog
such a breaking in as he won't get over this month!

EMMELINE:

Oh, no! you will not be so cruel—have some mercy! (Clings to
Tom.)

LEGREE:

Mercy? you won't find any in this shop! Away with the black cuss!
Flog him within an inch of his life!

(Music. Sambo and Quimbo seize Tom and drag him up stage. Legree seizes Em-
meline, and throws her round. She falls on her knees, with her hands lifted in sup-
plication. Legree raises his whip, as if to strike Tom. Picture closed in.)