Page:By Sanction of Law.pdf/165

 "What do you mean, 'own people?' Of what race am I—are you—mother—sister?" Bennet asked impatiently. "Are we not all Americans?"

"The South does not see it that way, Boy."

"We don't intend to live in the south," he challenged.

"You'll be lucky to be allowed to live at all, if you go down there for her."

"I'll go just the same, if necessary. We intend to live our own lives."

"There's no such thing as 'individual lives, the elder man contended. "Your acts will have an influence on many others, either directly or indirectly. Her family for instance,—and your own."

"Why should this be?"

"Don't ask why. It is so. A matter of cause and effect; a natural law. If you marry you won't be accepted by her family and there'll be many antagonisms."

"But, Dad, you don't know her. She's too big hearted to permit such a condition. Besides we're not marrying the races or the families of each other. I marry her. She marries me."

"Yes, yet you've got to live in some community. You'll be isolated on either hand. You don't know the pride of races as I do, nor pride of families."

"Yet I know that I'm of both races."

"Yes, but prejudice and narrowness can show themselves in so many bitterly hurtful ways to sensitive souls. I know. I've been through it all. So has your mother. No, Truman. I strongly advise against it. You're of age