Free The black swan by Day Taylor

you. Where have you been, Tom? Your darkies are acting guilty as hell about somethin*. You ought to know if you want a secret kept, it can't be kept by a darky."
    Tom rubbed his temple unconsciously; his head had begun to hurt. "There's no secret, George. I've just moved out of town . . . got a small piece of land." It was difficult going for him. He didn't know how much he dared let George know. 'Thought I might consider plantin'."
    "What would you want with the headaches of a plantation? Aren't your real estate holdm's enough for you, Tom?"
    "I'm satisfied. The saloons alone bring in enough and;— "
    "Lately, they've all fallen off in business."
    "All right, George, what you got stuck in your craw?"
    "You always were too soft with your darkies, Tom. Folks think maybe you're more than just soft. There's also the matter of a slave you bought from Edmund Revanche. Seems a little peculiar that the quadroon should disappear about the same time you left New Orleans."

    "That it?"
    "There is the question of the slave child you took from Gray Oaks."
    "Edmund knows he can't legally separate a mother from a child under ten years of age."
    "He expects to be paid for the child. I have managed to convince Edmund not to do anythin' about the pickaninny, but it hasn't sat well with him. What's come over you, Tom? It's a damned good thing your daddy isn't here. He'd take the buggy whip to you."
    Tom felt as though the room were closing in on him. "I paid Edmund four thousand dollars—even with his inflated ideas, that should have been enough." He said spiritlessly, "Aside from rumors and Edmund's pique, is that all?"
    George's eyebrows rose. "Is that all!? Dear Lord, man, what names you haven't been called in recent weeks aren't worth mentionin'. Your business is off, you're suspected of consortin' with rebellious niggers, some say you incited them, and you ask if that is all?"
    "They are sayin' that, are they?" Tom wiped his hand across his forehead. "I'm closin' the Clio Street house, George. Get the best price you can. Auction the furnish-in's. The field hands go with the house. I'll arrange for Bessie, William, and Jewel."
    "This is going to add fuel to the talk."
    "I can't help that."
    "What about the other house slaves? YouVe educated them, haven't you?"
    "Yes, they should be all right."
    "Be all right! You aren't actually thinkin' of freeing them?"
    "George, I don't know. Would it be so wrong to give them their papers? They've served the family for years."
    George Andreas's face hardened. "If that is what you wish to do, Tom, I'm sure nothin' I might say would dissuade you. However, if you've got any sense, you'll return to New Orelans. Reestablish yourself. Give folks a chance to see there is no truth in what they hear."
    "I'm not comin' back, George."
    "Where shall I mail your correspondence?"
    Tom looked baffled. "I'll be in now and then."
    George's mouth was drawn in a thin line of disapproval.

    "You're a damned fool," he snarled. "Get yourself another attorney."
    Tom hesitated, then gave him the Tremains' address.
    George's face brightened. "You courtin' Paul Tremain's widow? That's the first sensible thing you've said today. Zoe Tremain is a fine lady."
    "Yes, she is." Already Tom felt guilty that he had involved her. "Just send my mail to her. She'll know how to reach me."
    When Tom left George's office, he felt more tired than he did after a full day's work. His head buzzed with old worries and new ones. Without thinking, he headed toward the coffee shop where he and Ross and Edmund had spent so many pleasant afternoons.
    He ordered his favorite, cafe brulot. The place hummed with the deep, harmonious sounds of men's voices. Through foreign eyes Tom looked at the too familiar sight of men at a leisure that neither time nor circumstances changed. With some discomfiture he saw Edmund Revanche sitting with Ross Bennett, Mark Wilford, and Etienne Bordulac.
    Ross ostentatiously moved his chair so that his back was to Tom, but