Uncle Tom's cabin / Хижина дяди Тома. Книга для чтения на английском языке

“Yes, it’s an ill wind blows nowhar,” he repeated. “Now, dar, Tom ’s down – wal, course der’s room for some nigger to be up – and why not dis nigger? – dat’s de idee. Tom, a ridin’ round de country – boots blacked – pass in his pocket – all grand as Cuffee[21 - Cuffee – Пол Каффи (1759–1817), американский негр, боровшийся за отмену рабства и организовавший в 1815 году выезд из США в Африку 38 негров.

“Halloo, Sam – O Sam! Mas’r wants you to cotch Bill and Jerry,” said Andy, cutting short Sam’s soliloquy.

“High! what’s afoot now, young un?”

“Why, you don’t know, I s’pose, that Lizy ’s cut stick, and clared out, with her young un?”

“You teach your granny!” said Sam, with infinite contempt; “knowed it a heap sight sooner than you did; this nigger an’t so green, now!”

“Well, anyhow, Mas’r wants Bill and Jerry geared right up; and you and I’s to go with Mas’r Haley, to look arter her.

“Good, now! dat’s de time o’ day!” said Sam. “It’s Sam dat’s called for in dese yer times. He’s de nigger. See if I don’t cotch her, now; Mas’r ’ll see what Sam can do!”

“Ah! but, Sam,” said Andy, “you’d better think twice; for Missis don’t want her cotched, and she’ll be in yer wool.”

“High!” said Sam, opening his eyes.

“Heard her say so, my own self, dis blessed mornin’, when I bring in Mas’r’s shaving-water. She sent me to see why Lizy did n’t come to dress her; and when I telled her she was off, she jest ris up, and ses she, �The Lord be praised;’ and Mas’r, he seemed rael mad, and ses he, �Wife, you talk like a fool.’ But Lor! she’ll bring him to! I knows well enough how that’ll be, – it’s allers best to stand Missis’ side the fence, now I tell yer.

Black Sam, upon this, scratched his woolly pate, which, if it did not contain very profound wisdom, still contained a great deal of a particular species much in demand among politicians of all complexions and countries, and vulgarly denominated �knowing which side the bread is buttered;’ so, stopping with grave consideration, he again gave a hitch to his pantaloons, which was his regularly organized method of assisting his mental perplexities.