#4

Stacey cannot understand why Jerermy brought him a gift until Papa suggests he gave Jeremy the gift of friendship in the past year. But Papa warns him that friendship between a black man and white man can never be on an equal basis and it would cost too much to find out if this friendship with Jeremy could last. I think Stacey wanted it as a private symbol that there are still good people, even in white children. I don't think he wanted this symbol ruined by having it in plain sight.