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of my dread and fear, or maybe because of it, I slept again.
    Nance shook me awake as the master was calling, “Come see. We have a fine boy up here.”
    Nance and I rushed up the stairs. The mistress was drenched with sweat and as white as the sheets on her bed. She looked weak and worn, but when I came into the room, she mustered enough strength to demand, “Get that wretched devil out of here.”
    Later, Bett told me that finally the baby, John Ashley, came. The third male in that family with the name John. Bett said that by the time John was born, Mistress Anna was holding onto her, pleading for any help that Bett could give. But when she had her baby at her breast, she thanked her husband for saving their lives. The master thanked Bett, and from that day on, my sister did not need the mistress as a go-between. She went directly to the master and was heard.

9
    Years had passed. More children had come: Jane, Mary, and finally Hannah. Little John grew into a fine young man who was popular in the town. He was invited to the many picnics along the water and to skating parties and sleigh rides. He, like his father, was well dressed in knee breeches fastened with silver buckles over black silk stockings, and with buckles a bit bigger on his shoes. John looked nothing like either of his parents. He had a high forehead, blue eyes, and a straight nose. Every morning his long hair was carefully braided, in what he called a queue, and rewound around his whole head. And small curls that had remained in paper until he finished breakfast were let to fall on each side of his neck.
    John was known as the baby Bett had delivered, so Bett’s fame as midwife and healer had spread throughout the area, and not only among slaves. As her fame grew, the master gave her more responsibilities. Bett answered the door and decided who would see the master on business that pertained to the court.
    The mistress was not pleased with these additional duties and often tried to interfere when Bett had made a decision. One day the house was quiet and not many people had come all day. In the early afternoon, a young girl with her hair uncombed, her clothes wrinkled and dirty, knocked on the door.
    When Bett brought her in, I was surprised to see someone so young. Her dirty face was streaked with tears and her gray eyes with long black lashes showed that she was afraid.
    â€œWhy are you here?” Bett asked.
    â€œI must see the judge,” the child said in a timid voice.
    â€œSit down and I will tell the judge you’re here. I know he’ll see you.”
    When the mistress came into the kitchen and saw the child, she became red in the face. Her eyes flashing, she asked Bett, “What does that baggage want?”
    â€œTo speak to the master.”
    â€œWhat does she want to say to your master?”
    â€œI don’t know, ma’am.”
    â€œI know.” She turned to the child. “You slut, you’re here because you tempt honest men. Get out of my house. Out!”
    I had never before seen my sister lose her patience with the mistress. “You sit right there!” she said to the child.
    Mistress flew into a rage. “This is my house and she will go, and she’ll go now.”
    The child, frightened, rose to go. Bett stepped between them and said to the child, “Sit still.” She turned to the mistress. “If this child has a complaint, she has the right to see the judge; that’s lawful.” The child saw the judge.
    It was not long afterward that the master gave his permission for Josiah and Bett to get married. The mistress went into her room and stayed for a few days. She tried to alienate young John from Bett, but that didn’t work. I sometimes felt that John thought Bett was his mama, instead of the mistress.
    Women who owned slaves usually gave the bride a wedding that was celebrated in the yard. Not Mistress Anna. Bett’s wedding was planned with the help of Nance