"I'm bigger than you are, Moses, and you are not big enough to boss me."
"No," said Moses, "but I'm big enough to fight you to see who's got the most strength. Only girls can't fight."
"Only morally," said Elizabeth.
"Huh?" said Moses, staring blankly.
"Well, never mind. You take care of your mother and sister and be a nice, clean boy, and—and learn your lessons at school."
"Then what'll I get?"
"You'll get to be comfortable and happy by your own efforts."
"Well, I ain't going to do what anybody tells me—much."
"Tell yourself, Moses. Tell yourself to be good, and then mind yourself. I do."
"But you'm a girl," Moses said.