“The great strength of that jar,” Gramps Freeman said, “was that its true worth was underestimated. Just like the value of the enslaved man who had crafted it and signed it at a time when people in bondage were not allowed to read or write. Just like those first Freemans in Massachusetts, who moved all the way out here to hide from the slave catchers who were crossing state lines in search of people like them.” Gramps raised his brows and nodded silently in that way that he did when he wanted to be sure the kids were listening carefully. “Most of the trouble in this world boils down to one
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