When we reached the crossroads, i waved good-bye to lillian jean and waited for the others. before they reached me, little man exclaimed, "o, i'm gonna tell mama! carrying that ole dumb lillian jean's books! " "cassie, whatja do that for? " questioned christopher-john, his round face pained. "ah, shoot," laughed t. j. "ole cassie jus' learned she better do what's good for her if she don't want no more of mr. simms's back hand." i clinched my fists behind me, and narrowed my eyes in the logan gaze, but managed to hold my tongue. what does the excerpt show about the historical time period of the story?