“My dear,” said Mrs. Shelby, recollecting herself, “forgive me. I have been hasty. I was surprised, and entirely unprepared for this;—but surely you will allow me to intercede for these poor creatures. Tom is a noble-hearted, faithful fellow, if he is black. I do believe, Mr. Shelby, that if he were put to it, he would lay down his life for you.”
Once more, despite the difference in race and the effects of the time, Mrs. Shelby stands up for Tom, Harry, and even Eliza, questioning her husband's decision of choosing to sell them and how they would risk their lives for him, while he would not do the same.