Sammy Dawson snickered and it was Rodney’s turn to get red in the face.
“I know one schoolmaster,” he said, “who is an honest man and always was, though thieving must be more fun than trying to teach some o’ the lunkheads who go to his school.”
Sammy didn’t snicker this time, but his eyes grew big and round.
Angus began to swell with anger. He stepped forward and shook his fist under Rodney’s nose. Then he found his speech. “I’ve known o’ folks,” he said, “who weren’t wanted down in the tide-water country, comin’ up this way an’ bein’ sent back with their 22 hides tanned;” saying this, he tried to slap Rodney’s face.
In all the house of MacGregor probably there never had been a more surprised member than was Angus five minutes later, for David Allison had taught his son other things than were found in books; but he also had taught that this knowledge was not to be used except rarely, and when absolutely necessary. Rodney uneasily recalled this part of the instruction after the fight was over, and he had time to reflect on his part in bringing it on. Evidently he wasn’t doing anything to make the family popular with their new neighbours, whereas, if he’d kept his mouth shut instead of interrupting the conversation, all would have been well.
“Angus, let’s shake hands. I didn’t mean any offence and said more than I ought.”
Angus took the proffered hand rather reluctantly, and on his face was a look of suspicion, visible along with a black eye and a bleeding nose. Then he said: “You don’t come to school; got larnin’ enough, I reckon.”
“I have to work days, but study what I can nights,” was the reply.
“I saw ye workin’ with the nigger this mornin’. I ’lowed as how down in the tide-water country an’ in most other places folks as ’sociate with niggers ain’t much thought on. A slave has ter be kept in his place.”
“The work has to be done and there are only Thello and I to do it. He is not a slave, nor is his 23 wife. Mother granted ’em freedom after grandfather gave them to her. Father doesn’t believe in slavery. But they would die before they’d leave us.”