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

Shelby, hurriedly and abstractedly fingering her gold watch, – “I have n’t any jewelry of any amount,” she added, thoughtfully; “but would not this watch do something? – it was an expensive one, when it was bought. If I could only at least save Eliza’s child, I would sacrifice anything I have.”

“I’m sorry, very sorry, Emily,” said Mr. Shelby, “I’m sorry this takes hold of you so[16 - that it takes hold of you so – что это тебя так расстраивает]; but it will do no good.

The fact is, Emily, the thing’s done; the bills of sale are already signed, and in Haley’s hands; and you must be thankful it is no worse. That man has had it in his power to ruin us all, – and now he is fairly off. If you knew the man as I do, you’d think that we had had a narrow escape[17 - had had a narrow escape – легко отделались].”

“Is he so hard, then?”

“Why, not a cruel man, exactly, but a man of leather, – a man alive to nothing but trade and profit, – cool, and unhesitating, and unrelenting, as death and the grave.

“And this wretch owns that good, faithful Tom, and Eliza’s child!”

“Well, my dear, the fact is that this goes rather hard with me; it’s a thing I hate to think of. Haley wants to drive matters, and take possession to-morrow. I’m going to get out my horse bright and early, and be off. I can’t see Tom, that’s a fact; and you had better arrange a drive somewhere, and carry Eliza off.

“No, no,” said Mrs. Shelby; “I’ll be in no sense accomplice or help in this cruel business. I’ll go and see poor old Tom, God help him, in his distress! They shall see, at any rate, that their mistress can feel for and with them. As to Eliza, I dare not think about it. The Lord forgive us! What have we done, that this cruel necessity should come on us?”

There was one listener to this conversation whom Mr.

Communicating with their apartment was a large closet, opening by a door into the outer passage. When Mrs. Shelby had dismissed Eliza for the night, her feverish and excited mind had suggested the idea of this closet; and she had hidden herself there, and, with her ear pressed close against the crack of the door, had lost not a word of the conversation.