Slave Girl by Patricia C. McKissack Page A

isn’t from the Philadelphia, the New York or the Boston. He’s from Virginia. Can a southern mas’er be an abolitionist? Mr Harms said in his note that he would speak
to me. Maybe I’ll get answers to some of these questions then.
    Monday, October 17, 1859
    “Will you teach me to write my name?” Spicy asked.
    I’ve never really thought about teaching anybody else how to write. I’ve always been the one learning. I used the poker to write letters in the ashes. Spicy and Aunt Tee looked on
with wondering eyes. For the first time I been able to share my secret with somebody. I love seeing them smiling at the letters that makes up their names. I feel warm and good inside. What good is
knowing if I cain’t never use it to do some good. Spicy made an S. And Aunt Tee made a T. We’ve had our first lesson.
    Tuesday, October 18, 1859
    Mr Harms knows that I know that he knows I can read and write. But he has not said a word to me about it. Treats me the same as always. When will he speak to me?
    Meanwhile, Miz Lilly aine back yet, so our housework is not as hard, but Mas’ Henley’s been around all week in his study. I couldn’t get ink out. But Aunt Tee helped me make a
mixture of charcoal ash and blackberry wine. It makes a good ink until I can do better.
    Wednesday, October 19, 1859
    The days are getting shorter, and it’s cool in the mornings during study time. Today Mr Harms changed the study time to early afternoon when it is still hot enough to need
a fanner. I would say thank you, but I dare not. He say he will speak to me, so I got to wait.
    Sunday, October 23, 1859
    Mas’ went to fetch Miz Lilly from Richmond. We had the whole day to ourselves again. Trouble is, William wanted to come down to the Quarters to the meeting. Mr Harms
thought it was a good idea. ’Course, we didn’t, but what could we say?
    At the meeting, Rufus talked about the three boys in the fiery furnace: Shadrach, Meshach, Abedego. Then Rufus sang a song. We all joined in. I looked over at William and Mr Harms and they were
singing and clapping their hands, too.
    My God’s a good God. It is so.
    I woke up this morning and by God’s pure grace I go.
    Yes, God is a great God, this I know.
    We shared a table the way we always do after service. Mr Harms took William back to the house in his rolling chair. I stayed to be with Wook for a little while longer. All the
smile is gone out of her eyes. I rubbed her feet, because they were so swollen. That’s when she broke down and cried, saying she hated her husband, Lee. He had got a pass to visit, but came
just to say he didn’t love her. Lee wants to marry somebody else.
    Monday, October 24, 1859
    Miz Lilly is home. Lord have mercy. Mas’ and Hince left the same day for races in Charleston. We all been busy washing and ironing her travel clothes – scrubbing,
scrubbing. Nothing suits her. And she aine stopped going on about how filthy the house is.
    Tuesday, October 25, 1859
    I caught Miz Lilly in her room at a good time, and asked her if I could stay with Aunt Tee in the Quarters ’stead of in the kitchen.
    I knew just how to get what I wanted out of her. I say to her, “Miz Lilly, I was thinking if you let me stay with Aunt Tee down in the Quarters, I can watch and know if somebody’s
talking runaway talk.”
    She studied on that notion. “You’ve never told me one thing about anybody. Why now, Clotee?”
    I had to think fast and talk straight. “I figure if I help you, then you’ll give me nice things like you do Missy.”
    That fooled her good! She let me stay in Aunt Tee’s cabin, but I still got to work with Eva Mae in the kitchen and help Missy with the housework. It’s a little bit like the way it
used to be – Aunt Tee and Spicy and me talking all hours of the night. Now, I’ll be able to write more often and not cause suspection. It’s no where near as warm or as nice as the
kitchen. When I write H-O-M-E, I see here in the cabin. Home aine a place –