"It is a great evil, a damnable sin; no words can make it right. For us to work and forgive is but to help the sin along. I will not stand for the cursed wrong."
"Mamsey, it is all wrong, but it is not their wrong, Tom's and all the other boys. They are just doing what they have to: holding to that something that won't let go of us. Mamsey, we must go along with them. We cannot leave them alone. I don't quite see yet what we can do, but Mamsey, we, too, must hold on. See, here is the loom. Spin, spin, dear Mamsey."
"No, the loom stands still!" Jo shut her lips. But Donelle led her forward.
"Mamsey, it will save us," she said, "save us. We must work all the time; spin, weave, knit. We've got to. It is all we can do."
"Yes. And because we have always spun and woven and knitted, they are going off there, those boys! Donelle, I will not touch the loom!"
But Donelle was placing her fingers on the frame.
Suddenly, groping for the threads, Jo said, while her voice broke:
"Where's Nick, child?"
"He's following Tom as far as he can, Mamsey. I did not call him back."
At that Jo bent her head until it rested on the loom.