The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Callie’s father meets with the other major landholders in Caldwell County, and they decide on the date for the cotton harvest. When that day comes, the county becomes extremely busy. School is canceled so that the children can help their families with the harvest. Callie’s family hires an “army” of African American workers to harvest their cotton. Viola and two other women cook for the workers while Mother takes over the role of cooking for the family. All of Callie’s siblings have jobs assigned to them: Harry picks up supplies, Lamar and Sam Houston take the numbers from the scale house and report them to the tally board, and Callie watches the children of the workers. Callie discovers that Lamar and Sam Houston are paid for their work, and she complains to her father about not being paid herself. Lamar tells her that girls should stay home and not make money, which enrages Callie. Their father relents and agrees to pay Callie a nickel a day for her work.

The next day, as Callie watches the children, Sul Ross (her seven-year-old brother) tells her that he wants a job too. Callie sees their grandfather leave the house to collect specimens, and she decides to pay Sul Ross two pennies to watch the children.