Page:Aunt Phillis's Cabin.djvu/248

   Mr. Kent no authority over his servants, and commending them to his daughter's kindness and care, showed great discrimination of character. This, though, has been a constant source of irritation to Mr. Kent, and he has never been kind to   the people. Mrs. Kent, usually so timid, was roused into anger by   his treatment of Robert, and interfered, as I have related to you. She told me of this, and said how unhappy it had made her, though she could not blame herself. Since then there has only been a   formal politeness between them; Mr. Kent not forgiving his wife for the part she took against him. Poor little woman! Robert had been her father's faithful nurse in his long illness, and I do not wonder at her feelings on seeing him struck.

"Yesterday the will was read, and Dr. Lawton, who was present,   informed us of the result. Mrs. Kent has left most of her property    to her husband, but her servants free! The plantation is to be    sold, and the proceeds expended in preparing those who are willing    to go to Liberia, or where they choose; as they cannot,    manumitted, remain in Virginia. The older servants, who prefer    staying in Virginia as they are, she has left to you, with an    allowance for their support, considering you as a kind of    guardian; for in no other way could she have provided for their    staying here, which they will like better.

"Who would have thought she could have made so wise a will?

"Dr. Lawton says that Mr. Kent showed extreme anger on hearing it   read. He intends returning to the North, and his $30,000 will be a    clear gain, for I am told he had not a cent when he married her.

"Write me when you have fixed the time for your return, and   believe me, with love to all,

"Your affectionate relative, JANET WILMER."