Even though he was glad they'd have a second chance, that chance wouldn't be with him, and because it wouldn't, sorrow rode him. Logically, he understood the state wanting them placed with people of their own race but his heart didn't believe that should be the only measuring stick. What about caring and commitment? Admittedly, he knew next to nothing about child-raising, but he and the twins could have learned along the way. Maybe sometime in the future similar situations would be measured differently, but today in 1870, he'd be losing his boys.