“A breeder? What’s that? Does she have some special work?”
Lucy laughed shortly.
“Ain’t they no niggers up home yet?” she asked.
Amelia shook her head.
Lucy sighed. It was a sound of utter weariness.
“Mr. Covey says you can’t git ahead without niggers. You jus’ can’t.”
“But you said—” began Amelia.
“Mr. Covey bought her,” Lucy explained with a sort of dogged grimness, “for—for more—stock. Mr. Covey’s plannin’ on buyin’ all this land. Niggers come high. You wouldn’s believe what Mr. Covey paid for that there Caroline.” Pride puckered her lips like green persimmon.
Amelia swallowed. Her mouth felt very dry. She cleared her throat.
“Well, he’s makin’ a good start.”