I saw in the paper that it was wicked to keep slaves, but my cousins in Maryland have slaves; it can't be wicked." "Would you like to be bought and sold ?" he said.
"But, I am not black, John." "I believe old Josiah was a slave." "Every one knows that.

Why did he run away, John ?" "Because he wanted to be free, I suppose, and not have to work without pay." "And don't they pay slaves ?" asked Leila.
"No, they don't." John felt unable to make clear to her why the two people they respected and loved never discussed what the village talked about so freely.

These intelligent children were in the toils of a question which was disturbing the consciences and the interests of a continent.

The simpler side was clear to both of them.

The idea of selling the industrious old barber was as yet enough to settle their politics.
"Aunt Ann must have good reasons," said John.