When Stacey goes home to ask Mama if he can work for Mr. Harrison, Mama says no. Stacey is really upset and storms away. Big Ma suggests that he needs a whipping, but Mama has a different theory. What does she think Stacey really needs?

Mama cites that her husband doesn't break his back on the railroad, so her son can work for a white man. She tells Stacey that if he wants to work, there's four-hundred acres of land waiting for him...... land that belongs to the family. She thanks Mr. Harrison for the offer and tells him that her son is needed at home.