Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

From the text:

“I don’t want to hear what Papa wouldn’t have done!” Mama snapped. “Or what Mr. Morrison wouldn’t have done or Uncle Hammer! You were with Big Ma and she did what she had to do and believe me, young lady, she didn’t like doing it one bit more than you did.”

“Big Ma didn’t want you to be hurt,” she said. “That was the only thing on her mind . . . making sure Mr. Simms didn’t hurt you.”