Summary

Kumalo, the girl, and Gertrude’s son take many trains back to Natal province and to Ndotsheni. Kumalo’s wife and friend meet him at the train station, and he quickly and quietly tells his wife the news about Absalom and Gertrude’s sudden disappearance. His wife welcomes the girl and little boy as her own children, setting off a wave of emotional gratitude in the girl. As they walk home, people come out to welcome Kumalo home. The valley is in deep drought and even the streams have dried up. Kumalo’s friend reveals the women are walking to the river near the Jarvis farm for water. The friend now works for Jarvis and knows of that man’s troubles. The people of the village converge at the church and Kumalo leads an impromptu prayer, thanking God for their safe travels and...