In Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen, what does Sarny hear in the flowerbed? What does this tell you about Margaret and Alaine?

In Chapter Two, Sarny overhears a conversation between Margaret (the master's wife) and her sister, Alaine.

Accordingly, Sarny hears Margaret complaining that Clel (her husband) is spending too much money on purchasing slaves. She declares that, if Clel continues spending at the rate he's been spending, they will have little money left to purchase dresses for themselves. For her part, Alaine is described as an older, unmarried woman who despises the slaves and treats them poorly. Both women appear to commiserate with each other regarding Clel's spendthrift ways.

Margaret complains that Clel has just paid over a thousand dollars for a new slave, and she thinks that's too much money to spend. Margaret and Alaine's focus on dresses shows that they are shallow and selfish women. Just like Clel, the plantation owner, the women are more concerned about their material wants than about the welfare of the slaves in their employ.