Why does Amos send Celyndia on an errand?

Amos sends Celyndia on an errand in order to have a personal discussion with Violet.

"Yes, Papa Amos." Celyndia dropped her toys and fleet-footed it from the cabin. She always liked to run errands, especially those that took her to the doors of the big folks' houses.
"Why do you send the child away?" Violet asked.
Amos' voice was low and tense. "We may have things to say that won't sound pretty in a child's ears. Come, Violet, tell me what you have done with my iron kettle."