"They had no right to sell them," I said.
"Can't tell about that," said Preston. "We bought them. I suppose we had a right to do that."
"But if the fathers and mothers were bought," I insisted, "that gave us no right to have their children."
"I would like you to ask Aunt Felicia or my Uncle Randolph such a question," said Preston. "Just see how they would like the idea of giving up all their property! Why, you would be as poor as Job, Daisy."
"That land would be here all the same."
"Much good the land would do you, without people to work it."
"But other people could be hired as well as these," I said, "if any of these wanted to go away."
"No, they couldn't. White people cannot bear the climate nor do the work. The crops cannot be raised without coloured labour."
"I do not understand," said I, feeling my child's head puzzled. "Maybe none of our people would like to go away?"