Well, boy. I understand I’ve got a larned nigger that writes letters and tries to get white fellows to mail ’em. Well, Armsby tol’ me today the devil was among my niggers. That I had one that needed close watchin’ or he would run away. When I axed him why, he said you come over to him and waked him up in the middle of the night and wanted him to carry a letter to Marksville. What have yah got to say to that?
No sin! There is no sin! A man does how he pleases with his property. At the moment, Platt, I am of great pleasure. You be goddamn careful I don’t come to wantin’ to lightenin’ my mood no further.
“And that servant which knew his Lord’s will… which knew his Lord’s will and prepared not himself… prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes…” D’ye hear that? “Stripes.” That nigger that don’t take care, that don’t obey his lord – that’s his master – d’ye see? – that ‘ere nigger shall be beaten with many stripes. Now, “many” signifies a great many. Forty, a hundred, a hundred and fifty lashes… that’s Scripture.
Damned Queen. Born and bred to the field. A nigger among niggers, and God give ‘er to me. A lesson in the rewards of righteous livin’. All be observant ta that. All!
A plague! It’s damn Biblical. Two season God done sent a plague to smite me. I am near ruination. Why, Treach? What I done that God hate me so? Do I not preach His word?
I don’t care nothin’ fer the damn Bayou. I’m sufferin’.
It’s that Godless lot. They brought this on me. I bring ’em God’s word, and heathens they are, they brung me God’s scorn.
Get up! Get up, we dance tonight! We will not waste the evenin’ with yer laziness. Get up.
