I said nothing, but many thoughts were troubling me.
"You see, Ann, what your bad conduct has brought you to," said Miss Jane.
Again I attempted to tell the facts of the case, and defend myself, but she interrupted me, saying:
"Do you suppose I believe a word of that? I can assure you I do not, and, moreover, I'm not going to spend my money to have a lawyer employed to keep you from the punishment you so richly deserve. So you must content yourself to take the public hanging or whipping in the jail yard, which is the penalty that will be affixed to your crime." Turning to Mr. Summerville, she added, "I think it will do Ann good, for it will take down her pride, and make her a valuable nigger. She has been too proud of her character; for my part, I had rather she had had less virtue. I've always thought she was virtuous because she did not want us to increase in property, and was too proud to have her children live in bondage."
I dared not make any remark; but there I stood in dread of the approaching arrest, which came full soon.
As I was sewing for Miss Jane, Mr. Summerville opened the door, and said to a rough man, pointing to me—
"There's the girl."
"Come along with me to jail, gal."
How fearfully sounded the command. The jail-house was a place of terror, and though I had in my brief life "supped full of horrors," this was a new species of torture that I had hoped to leave untasted.
Taking with me nothing but my bonnet, I followed Constable Calcraft down stairs into the street. Upon one of the landings I met Henry, and I knew from his kindly mournful glance, that he gave me all his compassion.