Chapter 22 Summary

Jayber recalls various characters and funny stories in Port Williams. He remembers Athey Keith always being kind, but he now sees a new tenderness in him toward children, animals and everyone.

With help from their attorney, Athey and Della kept their title to the farm when they left, and they have now left everything in their wills to Mattie, excluding Troy. Although Mattie is not disloyal to Troy, she no longer approves of his handling of the farm. Troy, now feeling ousted from ownership and sorry for himself, somehow decides he is free.

Jayber and Clydie attend a Christmas dance at an old roadhouse, where they dance and drink. During a dance, Jayber looks up from Clydie and sees Troy Chatham dancing with a blond woman. Troy gives Jayber a wink and a grin and gestures as though he thinks Jayber might approve...