four hundred eyes. A human eye is a wonderful thing when it simply waits and watches. Not one of these little things alone would have been worth more than a glance, but together, they became mighty, portentous. Mr. ¬ÝBocombe got out his notebook and wrote furiously therein. Dr. ¬ÝBoldish, naturally the appointed spokesman, looked helplessly about and whispered to Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool:
“What on earth shall I talk about?”
“The brotherhood of man?” suggested the lady.
‚ÄúHardly advisable,‚Äù returned Dr. ¬ÝBoldish, seriously, ‚Äúin our friend‚Äôs presence,‚Äù‚ÅÝ‚Äîwith a glance toward Cresswell. Then he arose.
‚ÄúMy friends,‚Äù he said, touching his fingertips and using blank verse in A minor. ‚ÄúThis is an auspicious day. You should be thankful for the gifts of the Lord. His bounty surrounds you‚ÅÝ‚Äîthe trees, the fields, the glorious sun. He gives cotton to clothe you, corn to eat, devoted friends to teach you. Be joyful. Be good. Above all, be thrifty and save your money, and do not complain and whine at your apparent disadvantages. Remember that God did not create men equal but unequal, and set metes and bounds. It is not for us to question the wisdom of the Almighty, but to bow humbly to His will.
‚ÄúRemember that the slavery of your people was not necessarily a crime. It was a school of work and love. It gave you noble friends, like Mr. ¬ÝCresswell here.‚Äù A restless stirring, and the battery of eyes was turned upon that imperturbable gentleman, as if he were some strange animal. ‚ÄúLove and serve them. Remember that we get, after all, little education from books; rather in the fields, at the plough and in the