The indifference of adults and naivete of children

Okay, I'ma break it down.  This story is about several metaphysical divides: between black and white, young and old, and naivete and indifference.

Quentin - in a manner consistent with the nostalgic bent of the rest of this week's stories - begins by reminiscing about old-timey Jefferson, when the negro women simply walked back and forth on laundry day rather than driving.

We learn that Nancy has been knocked up by a white storekeeper and church deacon, Mr. Stovall, in an act of prostitution.  We also learn that her husband, Jubah (or Jesus, apparently, although I would find that name change a bit irrelevant and distracting), is none too pleased with this development.  The thing is, we understand these things because we are old enough to pick up on clues hidden within the context of the adults' language and interactions.  The children don't understand these things because of their youth, and the white adults may understand these things but, frankly, they don't give a damn.

Nancy is clearly terrified for her life, and Jubah is clearly lurking just out of sight.  The interesting implication of this story is that all that separates the naivete of these children from the indifference of their parents is time.  As sure as spring follows winter, the Compson kids will grow up into Compson parents and, unless somehow profoundly affected and changed, will keep on walking away from black folks in peril of death.