"I had meant to wait until you were twenty-one for this, but I have decided to act to-day. You will arrange to leave here and go with us as far as New York."
The negro bowed gratefully.
"Yassah, thankee sah, I sho did want ter go norf wid you, sah, but I hated to axe ye."
Lee handed Sam the document.
"You will go with me a free man, my boy. You are the only slave I yet hold in my own right. I have just given you your deed of emancipation. From this hour you are your own master. May God bless you and keep you in health and strength and give you long life and much happiness."
Sam stared at the paper and then at the kindly eyes of his old master. A sob caught his voice as he stammered:
"May God bless you, Marse Robert—"
Ben lifted his hands in benediction and his voice rang in the solemn cadence of the prophet and seer:
"And let the glory of His face shine upon him forever!"
Mrs. Marshall stooped and kissed her brother.