“I cannot require thee to go forth in this furious wind,” said Perpetua.
“And, lady, thou must answer to my master for me. Say that I went at thine express commands; otherwise I shall be badly beaten.”
“Is thy master so harsh?”
“Oh, I am a slave. Who thinks of a slave any more than of an ass or a lapdog? It was through a severe scourging with the cat that I was brought to know Pedo.”
“Tell me, how was that?”
“Does my lady care for matters that affect her slave?”
“Nay, good Blanda, we Christians know no differ[pg 246]ence between bond and free. All are the children of one God, who made man. Our master, though Lord of all, made Himself of no reputation, but took on Him the form of a servant; and was made subject for us.”
“That is just how Pedo talks. We slaves have our notions of freedom and equality, and there is much tall talk in the servants’ hall on the rights of man. But I never heard of a master or mistress holding such opinions.”
“Nevertheless this doctrine is a principle of our religion. Listen to this; the words are those of one of our great teachers: ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.’ ”
“Was he a slave who said that?”