But to omit mention of a darky's mean streak went beyond sharp dealing and bordered on outright fraud.
-- Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: Nehemiah has this thought in regard to Dessa's former master's deception. When Nehemiah learns that he hid Dessa's scars and failed to reveal the truth of her misconduct to her new owner, Nehemiah finds the lie deplorable. This quote proves Nehemiah's attachment to the socio-political structures on which his society is founded. The line also foreshadows his later obsession with retrieving and executing Dessa.

She had caught him by surprise, but he wrote quickly, abbreviating with a reckless abandon, scribbling almost as he sought to keep up with the flow of her words.
-- Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: The narrator says this of Nehemiah's work to record Dessa's answers to his questions. The line shows his inattention to accuracy, his disinterest in truly listening to or seeing Dessa. The extent of his carelessness becomes evident in the...