Summary

The novel then transitions to after Smith has been released from prison. A second ship arrived from Banyard and Hythe, this one bearing corroborating paperwork for Smith’s bill. Hendrick invites Smith to a party to make amends for Smith’s wrongful imprisonment. Smith attends the party that night, December 5th, a celebration of the holiday Saint Nicholas’ Eve. Mr. Lovell apologizes about Smith’s wrongful imprisonment, and he forces Tabitha to apologize as well. Smith, Lovell, and Hendrick then engage in negotiations regarding the payment of the bill. Smith demands the bill be paid in cash rather than goods or stocks, but Lovell protests that it would be impossible to acquire that much actual currency in New-York. Lovell offers to pay in goods with an added value percentage. A friend of Hendrick’s enters dressed up as Sinterklaas, a Dutch folk figure similar...