Passing, Chapters Three and Four Summary

Irene refuses to take Clare's phone calls but finally gives in and is persuaded to meet Clare at four. Gertrude, another old friend, is there as a surprise. Gertrude is Negro but married to a white man. Gertrude has become overweight and lost her beauty. She and Clare discuss their children, and Clare says she will never have another after having Margery, since she was terrified the entire pregnancy that Margery would be black. Gertrude agrees about the tension and states that no one would want a dark child. Irene, offended, says that one of her boys is dark and that her husband would not be able to "pass."

Clare's husband enters the room, and he is not the man who Irene saw Clare with at the hotel. He greets his wife, calling her "Nig...