nt institutions;
and that when we are among the Romans we must do as the Romans do."

"Well," said Mrs. North, "if all such prohibitions are not downright
impertinence, then I will give up."

"It's the law of the land, here," said her husband.

"Is there no 'Higher Law' in such a case?" said she. "'Higher Law,' I
believe, is sometimes the rule in Massachusetts."

"Some of our most estimable colored fellow-citizens would attend her,"
said I, "and tempt her by their own prosperity and happiness in freedom,
at the North, to cast in her lot with them and abandon her Southern
home, her mistress, and her little charge, Susan; and her own little
Cygnet's grave. They would send her, if she wished, free of charge, to
Canada, and leave her there. She could be perfectly free."

"Now, what is all this for?" said Mrs. North. "Do the people here really
believe that Kate is 'oppressed?' that her mistress is a tyrant? that
Kate is a victim to the 'sum of all villanies?' that she buffers an
'enormous wrong?' that her mistress does her a 'stupendous injustice?'
If they wish for objects of charity, and will go with me, I will engage
to supply them with 'the oppressed' in any quantity, with some of 'the
down-trodden' also."

"But, my dear Mrs. North," said I, "''tis distance lends enchantment to
the view.' Besides, to get a slave away from a Southerner is worth
unspeakably more to the cause of human happiness than to help scores of
Northern people."

"But to be serious," said Mr. North, "we are afraid that slave-holding
may get a foothold in Massachusetts; so we have to challenge every one
who comes here with a slave, to show proof that he or she is not holding
the servant to involuntary servitude among us."

"But," said Mrs. North, "are the people so conscientiously fearful lest
bondage should get established here in Massachusetts? Is that the true
reason for hurrying every colored servant, who travels here with his or
her invalid master or mistress, before a court to know if he or she
would not prefer to quit the family and the South? It seems to me we are
sadly wanting in good manners."

"Now, please do not smile at your good wife for her simplicity, Mr.
North," said I, "for I suppose that you are thinking, What have 'good
manners' to do with the 'cause of freedom'? She is right in her
impressions; a lady's sense of propriety against all the world."

"Do publish the Southern lady's letter by all means," said Mrs. North.

"H