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"I heard they were on the way out the last few years--down from four million to a few hundred thousand left in the Deep South"

"The South and the Appalachian Mountains Wherever people are poor and oppressed, the Klans around here, and I just don’t want that person to be you"

"You think I’ a low profile, way out in the country"

"Be real, Patience You are not low profile Everyone knoho you are Ti for ways to take out their frustration, and you’re involved with a group of uppity NegroesThere’s been talk You live with a Negro womanFor God’s sake, you walk around with her arm in arm I’d watch it, if I were you"

"Like who? Who’s uppity? Thomas and Bitsy?"

"Thomas and Bitsyand the Reverend Miller and all those folks at his church Mrs Potts is accepted because of her skills She’s delivered a lot of babies, black and white, in Union County, but people say the pastor preaches equality and white people don’t like it"

"Well," I go on "I’m not responsible for what people say in the pulpit or anywhere else Anyway, I agree with the preacher"

Becky and I have never before discussed politics, and she has no idea how important the issue of equality is to roes are inferior, but you and I know it isn’t true," I lecture "The Proudfoots and the Millers are as smart and able as any of us, e, we have to change it, and I’ll put h Bitsy’s whenever I want!"

"Let’s just let it drop," my friend ht it up I was only trying--" The phone on her kitchen wall rings three times "Hello," she answers "Okay, I’ll infor to inform me that she’s oing to give you a ride hou that in 1930 the Klan could be a probleht with the North in the Civil War, for heaven’s sakethis isn’t Mississippi or Georgia Anyhy shouldn’t all people be proud and free regardless of color?"

Becky shakes her head and sits down, staring out theat the daffodils along the walk She doesn’t even give ive her a half hug anyway

"You’re too innocent, Patience You need to face reality Not everyone is as nice as you"

Nice as me! If she only knew