Summary

In Chapter 19, “The Water Jar, 1962,” Father Gregory arrived at the reservation and sat outside in his car. After days without food or water, he emerged and visited Damien. In the confessional, Damien was struck by the familiarity of his voice. When he saw Gregory, he realized he was “seriously ill” (300). Gregory revealed that he had cancer and was dying. He wanted to see Agnes before his death.

Gregory stayed in Agnes’s cabin. His condition worsened. Though Agnes had loved Gregory, she was suddenly aware of an imbalance in their relationship. Unlike everyone else in her life, Gregory “treated her as somehow less” (303). She could not remember if he had “patronized her” in the past (303).

In Chapter 20, “A Night Visitation, 1996,” the dog visited Agnes in her old age. This time, the dog demanded Agnes let him into her chest. Agnes refused, realizing...