Chapters 9-12: Neighbors, A Grand Feast, A White Thanksgiving, An Empty Vessel Summary

A busy day for Father Tim commences. Harold Newland stops in the office to ask for Emma Garrett's hand in marriage. Harold also asks Tim if he would officiate with his pastor at the Baptist church. His next visitor is Olivia Davenport, the beautiful woman he had seen in church. Surprisingly, Olivia tells Tim that she is dying and would like to make her last days filled with meaning. Tim asks Olivia if she would be willing to read the Bible to the ill at Mitford Hospital. Olivia is pleased with the idea, and they make plans to meet at the hospital on Wednesday morning.

That evening, Tim lets Barnabas out the back door and is shocked when the dog takes...