Blowers again assumes his dignity, rises from his seat, scowls
significantly at the keeper, and says he will go put through the
business with his own hands. "Good friend," says Broadman, arresting
Blowers' progress, "by the state's ruling you are my patron;
nevertheless, within these walls I am master, and whatever you may
bring here for punishment shall have the benefit of my discretion. I
loathe the law that forces me to, in such cases, overrule the admo-
nitions of my heart. I, sir, am low of this world,--good! but, in
regret do I say it, I have by a slave mother two fair daughters, who
in the very core of my heart I love; nor would I, imitating the
baser examples of our aristocracy, sell them hapless outcasts for
life." Here Blowers again interrupted by allowing his passion to
manifest itself in a few very fashionable oaths; to which he added,
that he (pacing the room several times) would no longer give ear to
such nonsense from a man of Broadman's position,--which was neither
socially nor politically grand. "No doubt, good sir, my humble and
somewhat repulsive calling does not meet your distinguished
consideration; but I am, nevertheless, a man. And what I was about
to say-I hope you will grant me a hearing-was, that having these two
daughters-poverty only prevents my purchasing them-has made me
sensible of these slaves having delicate textures. The unhappy
possession of these daughters has caused me to reflect-to study
constitutions, and their capacity to endure punishments.
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