Part Three, Irie, 1990, 1907, Chapter 13, The Root Canals of Hortense Bowden, Summary

Captain Charlie Durham, an English sailor, was a tenant in the Bowden home when Ambrosia Bowden, Hortense's mother, was a young woman. Durham decided he wanted to teach Ambrosia and began inviting her up to his room during the day. Durham taught Ambrosia how to read and write, as well as the pleasures of the flesh. When Ambrosia was only a few months pregnant, Durham was called away from Kingston. Durham sent Ambrosia to a friend, Sir Edmund Flecker Glenard to continue her education, but when her pregnancy became obvious, Sir Glenard sent her home again. Sir Glenard suggested that Ambrosia take up studies with Mrs. Brenton, a Jehovah's Witness who introduced Ambrosia to the teachings of her religion.

Ambrosia studied the writings of the...