Summary

In the chapter “Inheritance,” Viola was willing to visit Emerence’s house again her death, but he behaved as though he had never been there. After Emerence’s death, Viola mourned for three days. At the end of the three days, he got up, shook himself, and began his normal activities. From that point until the end of his life, Viola never barked or made any other sound.

On the day of Emerence’s funeral, everyone in the neighborhood who was able to do so left work to attend. The narrator was worried the priest she had talked to on behalf of Emerence’s nephew would not come. That priest told the narrator that Emerence had no right to a religious service because she had fought the church every step of the way and claimed no belief in God. The narrator...