Chapter 13 Summary

It is Jakob's, the patriarch of the van Vlaanderen family, birthday party. It is a big affair, as his parties always are, attended by throngs of people. The food too, is plentiful and people can avail themselves of various eats, drink and desserts. When Pieter, Nella and the children arrive, the whole family gives their presents to Jakob. There is considerable apprehension among those who know of Pieter's present however, for Jakob reads nothing but the Bible.

There is tangible relief when, having inspected the book, The Birds of South Africa, he seems not only surprised, but also pleased. After that, Pieter and Nella sit, eat, and chat with Sophie, Pieter's mother and Japie. Anna, 'a kind of cousin', comes and takes Pieter away and this disappoints Sophie somewhat. Still, Tante Sophie remembers it as an exceptionally happy time in their lives.

Chapter 13 Analysis