A sob caught her voice.
"Don't say that, Madame. No neighbor of mine will ever be without a home so long as I have a house with a roof on it."
"Thank you, Colonel Lee," she interrupted, "but you know I can't let my man be a renter and see my husband and my sons workin' other people's land like nigger slaves. I got pride. I jus' can't do it. I'd rather starve."
"I understand, Madame," Lee answered.
The two older boys came awkwardly out into the yard. One of them was fourteen years old and the other sixteen.
The mother beckoned and they came to her with embarrassed step. Her face lighted with pride in their stalwart figures and well-shaped, regular features.
"Here's my oldest boy, William, Colonel Lee."
The Colonel took the outstretched hand with cordial grasp.
"I'm glad to know you, young man."
"And glad to see you, sir," he stammered, blushing.