Patrick listened in silence, and as his wife's tale proceeded his heart was filling with a kind of amazed happiness. Then she became silent and looked at him softly smiling.
Patrick exclaimed: "Thank you, Henrietta! You are making me the happiest man in this land. You cannot imagine how grateful I am to you. You really want to continue living with me?"
"Of course, if you wish it."
"Yes, Henrietta. You are special. I really was lucky to marry you. Thank you again."
I too feel lucky having married you, Patrick. But now, will you please introduce me to your friend?"
Patrick called Kutkhay, who was waiting in his room. The boy went downstairs, anxious. They were introduced and at once felt an instinctive liking for each other. At first the atmosphere was somewhat embarrassed, but gradually thawed and all three talked serenely and agreeably.
"Welcome to your home, Goldie." Henrietta said before leaving the two lovers alone.
"Thank you very much, Madam." Kutkhay answered with a wide smile.
Thus started their life together, without problems. The wife and the boy soon became friends, thanks to the good character of each. Indeed, Henrietta did all she could as things proceeded nicely, without problems, serenely. Patrick, one day, told her in general lines all of Kutkhay's story and the way he discovered he was in love with the boy.
She then said: "I was thinking that Goldie's presence and his intimacy in our ménage, could seem odd... therefore, if you agree, I have devised a stratagem that can settle everything once and for all in the world's eyes..."
"Tell me, I'm listening."
"Well, if people see you two always together, or me and Goldie, or all three of us, there could be gossip. Even if you introduce him as your secretary, he would have to keep at a distance from me... moreover, even with you, he would have to maintain a rather formal attitude... Also, we are risking the possibility that, not suspecting he is your lover, it might be thought that he is my lover, under your very eyes... So, I thought that possibly the best solution to all that would be to introduce him to everybody as my cousin George Van Kleft, who has returned home. Nobody would suspect that Goldie is not a white man, and this could settle many problems..."
Patrick looked at her astounded: "You amaze me more and more, Henrietta! But our servants know that he is a former slave, and more than that, your family will surely not lend itself to this substitution, nor would your family's friends. Moreover, somebody might remember my former personal servant... I don't think it would be so easy. But I really thank you for your generous proposal..."
"No, don't underestimate me, please. I have thought out this solution quite thoroughly. Listen -- my mother is an old, almost blind woman, as you know. My cousin left more than seven years ago, and he would now be just a little older than Goldie. None of my cousin's family survives, other than my mother and myself. You know that when my uncle died, having disinherited his son, all his inheritance passed to my father. And our servants will keep the secret, they know that it will be better for them, and anyway they are loyal and faithful. As for your friends, I don't believe they remember the period when Goldie served in this house -- three years have elapsed and to them Goldie was just one of several slaves. The boy has grown up. At most they could note a certain resemblance, nothing more. Nobody would think that a slave is being passed of as my cousin, it would be an absolutely incredible thing. Moreover the boy has a discreet native cultural awareness that he can certainly deepen; therefore he can easily pass for a Van Kleft.
"We will all go abroad together; and there, with the pretext that they were stolen from him, we will go to our Embassy and testify that he is my cousin George, so that they will issue him papers and we can come back with all the documents to certify that he is George Van Kleft. About his inheritance, I see nothing wrong if you gave him what would have been George's part, if you think this opportune -- anyway you would always be the one to manage everything, and it will all be Mike's one day, anyway. But if everybody believes Goldie to be my cousin, it is logical for there to be familiarity amongst us, and for you to treat him with the familiarity and affection one affords a relative he likes. Moreover, a Van Kleft will always be well accepted in our society, as a peer, just as you desire that your friend be treated..."
Patrick embraced her and kissed her on the forehead: "You are really special, Henrietta. But why are you doing so much for my Goldie?"
"Because you love him, and because he is a dear boy, sweet and good-hearted, and I like him. And because in him, in a way, I really see my cousin somewhat. It was this that gave me the idea."
"But if some day your cousin came back and claimed his rightful place?"
"I really don't believe it to be possible. Too much time has passed. In any event, I am sure he would understand and would play the game -- I know him well and I think that, with his character, he would like all this and would be truly amused. So then, what do you think? If you like my idea, we have to move at once, before the boy starts to go out and become known to our society, in which case all would become rather difficult."
"Well, just let me have some time to consider it. I will soon give you an answer. Anyway, for the moment, thank you from my heart."
Patrick thought thoroughly about that possibility, and talked also with Kutkhay. The boy was delighted at the thought that Henrietta cared so much about them, but at the same time he was worried. In fact, discussing that solution between them, some problems arose: "If they ask me where I went in all these years, if they asked me to describe the places I visited or the country where I lived, I would not be able to answer. So everything would crumble down and it would be even worse, wouldn't it?"
"Yes, but we can find a remedy to that... you can say that you renounced the idea of going to Europe, and instead traveled along the north-west coast, until you stopped in the village where you are born. That way you can talk about your people, their customs. I even think that your stories could turn out to be really interesting, and anyway nobody can belie them. And, do you know what I think -- you could even write a book about the ways and customs of your people."
"Me, writing a book? I am not so learned..."
"On the contrary, you have a good cultural awareness and you can always deepen it as Henrietta suggested. Do you remember Rodney? We can ask him, and I am sure he would help you and keep the secret."
Kutkhay looked at Patrick: "Rodney? I told you what there was between us. Aren't you jealous?"
"Not at all, because I trust you. What do you think?"
"But... and George's childhood memories?"
"Henrietta will certainly help you with that."
They discussed it further, and also with Henrietta, and at last they decided it was feasible. Patrick arranged his business affairs so that he could be absent a couple of months, then went to see Rodney, who had graduated a short time before and was working as an archivist in the local newspaper. They had decided to inform him of the plans at once and, if he agreed to help them, they would hire him and take him with them. Patrick told him about Kutkhay and about himself.
The young man listened with amazement to these confidences: "I am sorry, Mr. De Bruine, but why are you telling me such personal facts?" he asked at a certain point.
"Because I know what there has been between Goldie and you when you were his teacher, and because we now need your help; but above all because we trust you." Rodney blushed, but Patrick at once told him: "You have no reason to blush, not with me. You gave him what Goldie needed then, and I did not yet understand the situation. So, can you help us? Will you? If you accept, I offer you a steady job with higher pay than what you earn now... What do you say?"
The young man accepted gladly. He handed in his resignation and went back home to prepare his luggage for the long journey. But before that, in the newspaper archives he removed all copies of the articles that, seven years before, talked about George Van Kleft's family. When Rodney and Kutkhay met, they were happy to see each other again, and started telling each other all sort of things.
Patrick had the coach readied, and all four left. When they reached the port they boarded one of Patrick's ships that was sailing to Mexico. Thus Kutkhay could go aboard without any problem. Once on the ship, Rodney started to work with Kutkhay on the idea of the book, alternating this job with lessons in general culture. Henrietta and Patrick often talked with Kutkhay about various subjects with the precise aim of widening his knowledge. Henrietta also told him much about George's childhood and their families. They taught him the etiquette that the elite followed, so that he never cut a poor figure. For Kutkhay it was an intense, almost unceasing work, but he underwent all that since he knew that everybody was collaborating so as to ensure him a serene future at the side of his man.
They reached Mexico without problems -- Mr. and Mrs. De Bruine, with their secretary and their slave... They remained in Mexico fifty days, visiting several towns, and then all four went to the American Embassy and reported the theft of Kutkhay's papers. All three witnessed and signed a declaration that the youth was George Van Kleft. The Ambassador didn't raise any difficulty, the De Bruine's and the Van Kleft's were two very well known and influential families and at once he issued a new passport to Kutkhay -- now Kutkhay was officially and legally Henrietta's cousin. They went back by land, renting a coach and a driver.
As soon as they were back, Henrietta wanted to take Kutkhay at once to see her mother -- this was a kind of crucial test. Kutkhay was tense, he was afraid to fail.
"Maman, a surprise -- guess who has come back?"
The old woman tried to focus on the boy's silhouette: "You know that my eyes are weak. Who is with you, darling?"
Henrietta pushed Kutkhay forward. The boy bent towards the woman: "Aunt Betty, don't you recognize me? It is true that seven years have elapsed..."
The old woman brightened: "George! You are George! Come here, boy" she exclaimed and embraced him tight against herself.
Kutkhay felt some remorse at cheating the old lady so, but he had to play the game. Henrietta's mother asked him a thousand questions, she wanted to know where he had been for all those years, what he did, made him tell her... When Henrietta saw that all was proceeding well, she left for a while, excusing herself from the two, to go see her old governess.
As soon as they were alone, the old lady took Kutkhay's arm and whispered: "Did you sort yourself out, boy? Your father suffered very much for it, do you know? I don't want to dig up the past, you were just a boy, and much can be forgiven to a boy. But now, do you have a girl?"
Kutkhay felt terribly embarrassed, he didn't know that the old woman was informed about the problem of the real George and was not prepared for that question. But at once he recovered his control and answered: "Certainly, my dear aunt. Five years ago I got married. You don't have to worry."
The old woman smiled with satisfaction: "Good. And where is your wife?"
Kutkhay had again a moment of panic, and bit his tongue. But then said, with a sad voice: "Unhappily she left me, last year... An incurable illness..."
"Oh, my poor boy. I am sorry, I didn't mean to..."
Henrietta came back and the conversation resumed on safer rails. When at last they left, Kutkhay told Henrietta about the accident.
She smiled: "I didn't know that my mother was informed. Anyway you escaped the problem skillfully."
"Yes, Mada... oh, sorry, yes my dear cousin."
Henrietta smiled amusedly: "You have to learn quickly to call me dear cousin, cousin Henrietta, cousin darling... is that clear, cousin George?"
"Sorry, but can't you call me Goldie? I like that name. It is not that I don't like George, but..."
"Of course. And anyway, Goldie could very well be the nickname of George, couldn't it?"
When they were back at the villa, they knew that Patrick had given instructions to all the slaves -- from now on Goldie was for everybody Mr. George Van Kleft. The servants quietly accepted this new change, not even asking themselves the reason for it.
So Kutkhay started his new life. He was presented to society with a great party organized at Villa De Bruine -- Patrick and Henrietta De Bruine were glad to introduce their cousin George Van Lleft, back from a long journey, their associate in business, and who would live with them at Villa De Bruine. All the high society was at the party. Somebody had known George's father well, and had a vague memory of the boy, but nobody gave signs of any suspicions. The school friends of George, very few, started to recall anecdotes of several years before and Kutkhay shone at the level in his new role -- if they remembered something he didn't know, he just said with candor and good grace: "I don't remember well -- would you please refresh my memory?" or something similar and all went well.
The party was a big success. When at last the guests had all left and they were finally alone, Kutkhay abandoned himself, worn out, in his lover's arms: "Patrick, what a torture!"
"Wasn't it worth it?" Patrick asked, caressing him.
"Just to be able to stay with you is worth doing anything, my love." Kutkhay whispered embracing him.
They had achieved a remarkable harmony and, now that Henrietta had cleared everything up with her husband and no longer felt obligated to do her wifely duty in bed, she seemed more cheerful and expansive than ever. Kutkhay became very affectionate toward little Mike, who was growing nicely, and often played with him. Mike was becoming fond of his "uncle".
Even if Rodney lived in his little house with his mother, he was now at home at the De Bruine's. Besides continuing to teach Kutkhay, he had been hired by Patrick as his personal secretary so he now earned a very good salary. Rodney, at the request of Kutkhay, went to look for Jimmy and Barney and bought them for their new master, paying dearly for them, but removing them from the destiny that faced them with their previous master. The two youth had been lovers for almost one year; therefore, in the villa, they were settled in Kutkhay's old, small, room. In fact Jimmy became Kutkhay's servant, and Barney Patrick's as Long Jack was given different tasks. Jimmy and Barney were happy -- they could at last love each other without impediment and without being forced to let their bodies be used by strangers. They showed all their gratitude to Patrick and Kutkhay, serving them with full devotion. Kutkhay was happy.
His book was also taking shape and it occurred to him to illustrate it with his drawings, which were really beautiful and suggestive. About one year after his "return", the book of George Van Kleft, that is Kutkhay, was printed. He sent the first copy as a gift to Lee, to let him understand that he was finally with the man he loved. Between Patrick and his lover things were going better and better. They were more and more united, and happy to be together. The boy gradually started to collaborate with Patrick in his business, and soon learned to carry out his tasks skillfully. He did not have the same business sense as Patrick, but he had a special gift for dealing with people; therefore, he handled public relations more and more. But for both the most beautiful moment was in the evening, when they could withdraw to their room. Now that their personal servants were Jimmy and Barney, they no longer had to sleep in separate rooms. Patrick had a large bathroom installed on the second floor, with a fixed tub and a stove to heat the water. Both loved very much bathing together and washing each other. And very often they ended making love in the warm water.
All was proceeding from good to better, without hindrances, when something happened that deeply troubled Kutkhay. He had just left from the offices of De Bruine & Co., and was going to the bank for some orders of payment, when a hand rested on his shoulder. He turned in surprise at that familiar gesture, asking himself who it could be, and froze -- for the second time that horrible hand was seizing his shoulder. It was Mr. Stevens.
"Hey, what a surprise! World is really small. How come you are so well-dressed, now? Who is your new master, that he sends his slaves around dressed like real fops?"
Kutkhay had enough self control and, with a haughty air pulled himself away from that man who aroused in him only unpleasant memories, said in a sharp voice: "I don't know who you are nor what you are saying. I am George Van Kleft."
The man looked at him, hesitant for a moment, but then laughed: "No, I don't swallow that, I know you rather... intimately. So then, who is your new master?"
Kutkhay didn't answer and was about to leave, but the man checked him, seizing his arm. Then Kutkhay exclaimed in an offended tone: "Get out your hands off me, immediately!"
He said it with such determination and noble arrogance that the man seemed uncertain and left him. Then Kutkhay went away resuming his fast pace, but having difficulty not to start running.
Stevens looked at him going away and shook his head: "And yet, he is the little slave with whom I had my fun and then sold..." he said unbelievingly.
As he saw that the boy entered a bank, he followed him. He went in and looked around but didn't see him. He then approached a clerk and asked him: "Just before me there came in a young man so tall, dark brown hair barely waved, wearing a cream colored frock coat and brown trousers. Do you know who is he?"
"Yes, certainly, he is the owner of this bank, Mr. Van Kleft. He is now talking with the manager. Do you need to talk with him?"
"No, no, it doesn't matter. Do you know where he lives?"
"At the villa De Bruine, sir."
Stevens went back to his hotel and asked for more information. All coincided and yet... he was sure he was not wrong, he had always had a very good memory for faces. Then he went to villa De Bruine. He wandered around it for a long while, carefully observing who entered and came out. After a couple of hours he recognized Jimmy.
He followed him, being careful not to be seen and, when he felt the moment was right, faced the slave: "Hey, you! You remember me, don't you?"
Jimmy recognized him at once, as Stevens was a regular customer of the brothel, and he had often had to satisfy the man: "Massa Stevens!"
"Oh, good, you at least recognize me. Do you belong to the De Bruine's, now?"
"Yes, massa."
"And I bet that Goldie is there now too, isn't he? Are you the bed slave of your new master?"
The mulatto boy was trembling. He didn't know what to say, so to get out of the scrape he said: "I am not authorized to talk about house matters. Go and ask the master, if you want."
Stevens smiled wickedly: "Yes, I'll get information, I want to get to the bottom of this. You'll hear again about me -- there is something here that doesn't convince me at all. Goldie making himself pass for a white man..."
Jimmy, instead of going on his errands, went quickly to the Company offices and asked to see the masters. Kutkhay had just returned, and was worriedly talking with Patrick about his unpleasant encounter when they heard that Jimmy wished to meet with them urgently. Once in the office, the mulatto told about his encounter. Patrick, who at first was trying to tranquilize his lover, now began to worry in turn. That man could be dangerous. But how to neutralize him? Any action against him would be proof that there was something to hide. But at the same time, doing nothing could be just as dangerous. Moreover Patrick, knowing the evil that the man had done to his Goldfinch, now that he had the man in arm's reach, felt very strongly the temptation to make him pay. They decided to go home immediately and gather the family, including Rod, Barney, and Jimmy.
They discussed the matter for a long while, evaluating the pros and cons of each idea. The problem was complex and delicate. Not being able for the moment to find a solution, they decided to remain on the alert and to await further developments. First of all Kutkhay would never again go out alone, but always with Patrick, Henrietta or Rod. As for Jimmy and Barney, they were not to leave the house for a certain period. Finally, Patrick hired a famous private detective, asking him to investigate Stevens, without any concern for expense, so as to have in their hands more information if the man showed up and tried to blackmail them.
Stevens, after some more inquiries in town, returned to his own town having found out very little about the boy -- everybody affirmed without showing the faintest doubt that he was the cousin of Henrietta Van Kleft, the wife of Patrick De Bruine, and that the boy had been back home for about a year after a long journey of explorations, that he was the author of a book, co-owner of banks...
And yet Stevens was sure he was not wrong -- that young man was the same slave runaway from the brothel that he had caught, with whom he had had his fun and whom he sold away. And if he were right, he had to find the proof and he could become rich blackmailing them. It was moreover a really strange coincidence that Jimmy, who was a slave in the brothel together with Goldie, was now a slave of the De Bruine. This just confirmed to him that he was not wrong. He had to find out how Goldie had managed to pass himself off as Van Kleft, cheating everybody, even the cousin. But Stevens was not aware that there were private detectives at his elbow, investigating him.
Back home, therefore, Stevens continued his investigation into Kutkhay. He was ready to invest both money and time, as he felt that it was worth doing so. First he went to the brothel and asked his friend the owner about Jimmy -- he found out that a man from De Bruine came about a year before, asking directly about Jimmy and barney and offering to buy both of them, paying a large amount of money for them without turning a hair, and took them with him. Then Stevens succeeded in tracing the merchant to whom he sold Kutkhay. He looked in his records and told him who bought the slave Goldie. Stevens spent almost seven months in his research, but was able to reconstruct all the movements of the slave, until he knew he had been given to Mr. Hogwood, and that he had sold him to Mr. De Bruine. The ring was closed.
Meanwhile, the detectives had done a very good job also. Not only did they sent regular reports about Stevens's movements, but they dug into his life and discovered several compromising facts about him. Stevens was wanted in at least three states for aggravated fraud, and had changed his name several times to escape the investigations of the federal marshals -- his real name was Clement, then he was known as Shannon, then Riesley and last Stevens. When Patrick had all the documentation in his hand, he felt more secure. Not much time passed and the man showed up. As they had guessed, he asked Patrick for a meeting and told him he had all the proof about the real identity of Goldie and asked him for a high sum of money to keep silent. Patrick, as they had planned, pretended to yield to the requests. He told the man to come two days later to get the money. Then he went to the federal marshal's office, gave him all the documentation about Stevens and his several identities, and told them in which hotel he was staying.
The man was immediately arrested. When Stevens-Clement was caught, he understood who would have played that trick on him, so he "spilled the beans" telling about the real identity of Kutkhay. He got no other result than being thought of as a madman and a mythomaniac. In fact, when he asked to have a lawyer and charged him to go to his room to take the evidence about the boy's real identity, the lawyer found nothing. Patrick's detectives, so soon as the man had been caught, managed to enter his hotel room, search it thoroughly and find all the documents and declarations gathered by the criminal. They took them and gave them to Patrick. The lawyer refused to defend the man. Clement was taken away to be judged in those states where he was wanted, and everybody breathed a sigh of relief. Certainly the man would be put in prison for many years, and would therefore be harmless.
A second moment of apprehension occurred in De Bruine house. The unwilling cause of it, this time, was Andrey Kotnich. About one year after the publication of Kutkhay's book, a copy came into the hands of the painter, who at once recognized the boy's drawings. At first he simply thought that the drawings were the work of Goldie and that the boy was now the slave of that George Van Kleft. Being by chance in the area, he inquired as to where the Van Klefts lived, since he felt nostalgic toward the boy he loved, and desired to meet him again. So he went to De Bruine's villa and asked for Mr. Van Kleft. As Kutkhay was downtown, Henrietta was called.
"Please forgive me, madam, I am Andrey Kotnich, painter. I had the pleasure to read this book and I recognized the drawings of your slave Goldie, whom I taught to draw. You see, madam, I was very interested in the boy, who was then at the service of Mr. Hogwood and, if you will allow me, I would be pleased to meet the boy again..."
Henrietta felt almost like fainting but she controlled herself perfectly: "I am sorry, Mr. Kotnich, but at this moment my cousin Van Kleft is not at home, and I don't know what to tell you..."
"But, may I at least see Goldie?" the painter insisted.
"He too is not at home, now, I am sorry. If you could come again tomorrow..."
The painter apologized for disturbing her, assured her that he would return on the next day, and bade her good bye. Henrietta at once had the closed gig made ready, even if the offices were near enough to be reached by foot, and went there in hurry. Again, they all gathered, and Henrietta informed them about this new, unforeseen, event.
Kutkhay shook his head with a smile: "No way, Andrey is different, he is certainly not thinking about blackmail. The best thing is for me to meet him and tell him everything. I am certain he would do nothing to harm us."
The others tried to advise him against doing so, but Kutkhay was sure of his facts. So, on the following day he waited for Andrey in the villa. He was really amused to see the amazed expression on Andrey's face when he recognized him, and saw him no longer as a slave, but in the attire of an affluent gentleman. Kutkhay explained everything to him, and then invited him to stay with them for supper -- he wanted him to meet his new family. Andrey accepted with pleasure.
After supper, before leaving, the painter again assured all of them that he would keep carefully the secret, then said to Kutkhay who saw him to the door: "I am glad you have settled down. I understand now why you were so much in love with your Patrick -- you are right, he is an enchanting, fascinating person, and it is evident how strong the love is that binds you two. I wish you a happy future with your new family."
"If you pass this way again, you will always be a welcome guest, don't forget it." Kutkhay said him, bidding him farewell with a tight embrace.
That night, in their bed, Patrick said to Kutkhay: "So, little by little, I'm getting to know all your past lovers..."
"No, you are the only, real, true lover. With the others I made love, it is true, but they were just dear friends, nothing more. No one can bear comparison with you, you know that."
Patrick embraced him: "No, I would not know it, if I did not read it continuously in your eyes. I have been truly fortunate, meeting you that day on the ship, and deciding to keep you with me. You filled, and gave a meaning to, my life."
"The lucky one on the ship was I -- you saved my life. But I had already noticed you before sailing, in my village, and at once fell in love with you, did you know that?"
"On the other hand, for me... did you see how long it took me to fall in love with you?"
"No, you just needed more time to realize you were in love with me. But I think that something was triggered inside you at that time, not so much when you chose to prevent them from throwing me into the sea, as you might have decided anyway, even if I were ugly or old. but rather when you decided to take me with you, to care for me. What would I be now, if you had not come to my village? Just a little savage..."
"But you are my little savage..." Patrick jested, holding him tight and kissing him. Kutkhay returned that kiss with passion, and the night passed too rapidly for the two lovers. Each time they united, they felt an unutterable emotion, almost the same as the first time when they put aside the fear that the other would not respond, and approached each other in the moving coach. The more time passed, the better they knew each other, the more they were able to please each other in any small thing during the day or when they made love. Kutkhay was gaining more and more self confidence and assuredness, and their relation was really becoming one between peers. The boy now showed all his strength and personality, without losing his gentleness and simplicity.
A habit that Kutkhay had never lost, however, was to get naked as soon as he could. And soon, also, Patrick learned to do the same --not only in their rooms, but also in the midst of nature, every time it was possible. They discovered a small lake in the forest, a two hour's ride from the town, away from the roads -- a corner of paradise. When they had some free time, they went there on their horses, hastily freed themselves of all their clothes, and ran on the meadows, climbed trees, pursued each other playfully, plunged in the water and swam, lay to dry under the sun, jokingly fought on the grass, and united in long and sweet embraces. It was beautiful being able to look at the other's naked body, making it vibrate with pleasure, awakening desire in it, then making love under the pure sky, in full freedom, embraced by Nature.
Another thing they both loved, was spending time together with Mike. The child was growing up strong and cheerful. He was now four years old. He was really fond of Kutkhay, so much so that he often preferred him to his father, and even to his mother. Henrietta, in addition to carrying out her role of official wife and mother, continued her charity and cultural activities. One day, talking with Kutkhay, the subject of slavery came up. After that day, above all when they were having their meals together, the conversation often returned to that topic. Rod affirmed that slavery is a shameful thing, that it should be abolished, forbidden by law. Kutkhay affirmed that it is horrible to be bought and sold like cattle, without any say in the matter, having always to obey, to undergo... and, after all, he agreed with Rod. Patrick and Henrietta came, gradually, to agree with them.
It was at that point that Henrietta said: "But what concretely can we do, then?"
"Start to free your slaves and pay them a salary. Give them the freedom to decide for themselves." Rod readily answered.
"But just freeing our slaves doesn't solve the problem. We also have to try to persuade others to follow our example, we have to see to it that the custom, the mentality changes, we have to make laws change... It is a huge task, but someone has to start!" Patrick said enthusiastically.
Kutkhay then said: "Among the slaves there is already a movement that tries to rescue the most ill-treated slaves, helping them to flee to Canada or Mexico, hiding them, protecting them. There are already people who have made this choice. For instance, the pastor who helped me to run away. We can help them with money, beside a moral backup, we can help them concretely... Barney knows something about that, he could help us..."
The idea took shape. They called Barney and proposed to set him free, and asked him if he would work with them to set out, back up, and organize not only the flight of slaves, but also a campaign against slavery.
The young man's face brightened into a wide smile: "If I accept? You can count on me completely, even more than on a loyal slave -- I owe you everything and will always do anything you ask me, always, without discussion."
Rod smiled: "Oh no. If you are a free person, you always have to do only what you think right, not what we ask you to do."
"Yes, what you say makes sense. But there are two things you didn't consider, massa Rupert. One is that gratitude makes an even tighter bond than that of slavery, because slavery is imposed on you but gratitude is something you choose. And the other is that for you all I feel an unlimited admiration, because I now know you and know that you are all unique people. Therefore I trust you and it would not make sense to me if I were to debate your decisions. However, there is one last thing -- I was born a slave, and it will take me some time to learn how to be and act like a free man."
"We will help you to lose your slave mentality, Barney, if you help us to lose our master mentality. Do you agree?" Patrick asked.
"Certainly, sir. Just one thing I would like to ask you -- as a free man, could I continue to use the surname De Bruine? I would be so proud of that..."
"It's natural. But if you use the last name De Bruine, remember, it means that you are not only a free man from now on, but you will in a way be part of my family. Therefore you will also assume your share of responsibility for your new family. Understood?"
"Oh, yes, sure! And... can Jimmy be a De Bruine too?"
"If he wishes, there is no problem."
"That's great! Then we will have the same last name, like two married people! Isn't it wonderful, Jimmy?" Barney exclaimed and, turning towards his lover, he kissed him affectionately.
The boy, slightly embarrassed by these effusions, said: "But we already are De Bruine, being slaves of massa Patrick. Nothing changes..."
"Oh no! Before, if we changed master, we also changed name. Now, this name will be ours to our death, on all our papers. Isn't it a wonderful present we are getting? Don't you understand? From now on our life is completely different, we need have no more fear of being separated, never again."
"But massa Patrick, and massa George, and massa Henrietta would never separate us, would they?" Jimmy retorted, looking at them for confirmation.
"No, of course not. But if, for instance, through misfortune we had debts, or we died, as slaves you could be sold and separated, but not if you were free men..." Patrick said.
Jimmy nodded gravely in assent, and expressed his feelings with just two words, charged with emotion: "Thank you!"