By the time I had become about sixteen years old, several changes had taken place in my master's house. My mistress had died and Master Tom had been married twice. And because of a disagreement between father and son, I was to be sent away as punishment.

I would sorely miss the other Blacks I had met and been teaching to read, and the little street boys who had helped me. I would especially miss the pious Uncle Lawson, who had become like a father to me.