MD3PAD 202-204

[Toby G Levy]

        Elroy draws Mason aside and tells him that if he goes to America
it will be years before he sees his sons again.  He says that in all
likelihood they will be indentured to Mason's father at the mill for
seven years.

        Throughout the rest of the day other relatives come to tell
Mason variations on the theme of the inadvisability of leaving for so
long a time.

        The next day Mason talks to his father who has heard from the
baker that Mason was going to America.  Mason's father refuses to admit
that he intends to take his financial support of the kids out in the
form of their labor when they are old enough to work in the mill,

        Mason's father reminds Mason that he had warned Mason about Sam
Peach, that Peach was not friend of Mason's. Now that Bradley's dead,
Mason is in danger of Peach controlling his life.

        Mason's father, Charles Sr., is not really a bad guy, asserts
Wicks. "He believes bread is alive..." He enjoys holding the dough in
his hands.

Toby`