Summary

Chapter 31. Father’s day at the ballpark leaves him feeling rejuvenated. Father and Mother discuss and make plans to leave New Rochelle for Atlantic City for awhile in order to escape the constant scrutiny of the press and their neighbors. The tension in town grows and residents of African American neighborhoods experience harassment. The press photographs and publishes the extent of damage done to Coalhouse’s car, much to the embarrassment of authorities. Citizens express a growing desire for Willie Conklin to leave New Rochelle; interpreting these desires as support for a “negro” rather than one of their own, Conklin begins to drink excessively. He eventually realizes the upper class citizens view him as lower class and thus of near-equal social status to African Americans. The family successfully slips from the house and travels to Atlantic City.

Chapter 32. Mother’s Younger Brother, missing since his...