READING LOG!

Chapter 1
Characters: The Creator,
Plot: ?\It describe the setting
Vocabulary:
Forlorn- pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely
Matted- tangled into a thick mass
Kloof- a steep-sided, wooded ravine or valley
Unshod- not wearing shoes
Coarse- rough or loose in texture or grain
Titihoya-
Desolate- deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal
emptiness

Chapter 2
Characters: The small child, Kumalo, John, Gerttrfdxrude, Absalom,
Stephen, Stephen wife, Theophilus Msimangu.

Plot: The little child come with a letter to give it to Stephen, the child
was hungry so Stephen gave her food, Stephen and his wife were
scared to read the letter, so they opened and read it. It was about that
his sister Gertrude is sick. So they were kinda talking and then he
decided to give money and the next morning

Vocabulary:
Timidly- showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened
Umfundisi-
Reluctant- unwilling and hesitant; disinclined
Mustered- assemble(troops), esp., for inspection or in preparation for
battle
Expenditure- the action of spending funds
Delicately- very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or
quatily
Accusation- a charge or claim that someone has done something illegal
or wrong
Laboriously-(esp. of a task, process, or journey) requiring considerable
effort and time

Chapter 3
Characters: Stephen Kumalo, Sibeko, Sibeko Daugther, people on the
train
Plot: Stepnhen does not care about what would cost him to get to his
sister. He was now out to Johannesburg. A frien of Sibeko(I think) asked
him to get information Sibeko daughter cuz she got married and then
had no word about her since a year. He goes onto the train. The
journey has began and there was fear cuz it was just a dangerous
place. He began to read his sacred book

Vocabulary:
Cripple- dated offensive a person who is unable to walk or move
properly because of disability or injury to their back or legs
Gloomy- dark or poorly lit, esp. so as to appear depressing or
frightening
Prelude- an action or event serving as an introduction to something
more important
Agapanthus- a South African plant of the lily family, with funnel-shaped
bluish flowers that grows in rounded clusters
Dell- a small valley, usually among trees
Lorry- a large, heavy motor vehicle for transporting goods and troops;
a truck
Inquire- ask for information from someone
Clerical- concerned with or relating to work in an office, esp. routine
documentation and administrative tasks

Chapter 4:
Characters: Stephen, a young man, a man in the train, the driver, the
man from the line for the bus, Mr. Msimangu, Mr. Mafolo
Plot: There the train is here to Johannesburg. Stephen asks the man
about the rock and he said that they came out the mines. And Stephen
kinda asked him how it was doing for him. Stephen shows him this
wheel thing. He arrives by Johannesburg, he explains what the city is
like, the tall buildings and everything he goes in this tunnel where it is
crowded and he is scared and then he begs Tixo to watch over him. A
man helped him to get to Sophiatown. The young man offered him to
buy his ticket for the bus while he hold his spot in line, he gave him a
pound then he is waiting and almost at the bus, he asked a man where
the ticket office is and the man said that there is no ticket office and
that you buy it on the bus and Stephen told him the story and the man
said that he have been cheated. He got to the mission house stuff. The
journey to Johannesburg was over and he was happy about that
Vocabulary:
Slums- a squalid and overcrowded urban street or district inhabited by
very poor people
Kraals- a traditional African village of huts, typically enclosed by a
fence
Dusk- the darker stage of twilight
Immense- extremely large or great, esp. in scale or degree
Falter- start to lose strength or momentum
Endurance- the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult
process or situation without giving way
Boast- talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one’s
achievements, possessions, or abilities
Sympathy- feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else’s misfortune

Chapter 5
Characters: Stephen, Mrs. Lithebe, Msimangu
Plot: He never like seen or use these things like forks, plates , knives,
shower. Etc. He was telling them about his home, everything about it
because a black priest was from there and they asked him how is it
there. Even the bad things there, they told him its dangerous in
Johannesburg, his home is not the only place that is in destruction.
Then Stephen and Msimangu goes into his room and they start to talk
about Stephen sister. Msimangu tells Stephen that where she lives is
one of the worst part of Johannesburg. He said that when you go there,
there is so many liquor spilling and all you can smell that. They drink,
gamble and stab and that Stephen sister have been in prison more
than once and that a man was killed in her place. Stephen finds out
that his brother is now a politics and that’s why he doesn’t have time
to write to him. Msimangu is a Christian.
Vocbulary:
Maize- technical or chiefly British term for corn
Idle- (esp. of a machine or factory) not active or in use
Liquor- alcoholic drink, esp. distilled spirits
Mended- repair(something that is broken or damaged)
Brow- a person’s forehead

Chapter 6
Characters: Msimangu, Stephen, Gertrude, Gertrude child, Mrs.
Litebe, Gertrude neighbors
Plot: They arrive in Claremont where his sister lives. He was shocked.
He asked why these children are not in school, Msimangu said that
some do not care, some parents do not care but many its because the
school is full. Stephen finally goes to Gertrude house, they both were
nervous when they saw each another. He got mad at her and was
disappointed at her and was telling her stuff and she started to cry but
no shame. He said that he had come to take her back home, Asks her
if she wanted to and need to want to come home with her heart. She
said that she does not like Johannesburg and wants to come home.
Now Gertrude is gonna live with him when he is staying now
Vocubulary:
Shabby: in poor condition though long or hard use or lack of care
Loafer- a person who idles time away

Chapter 7
Characters: Stephen, Gertrude, the small boy, Mrs. Mithebe,
Msimangu, John, Esther, Dubula, Tomlinson, Absalom, Mrs. Ndlela,
Mrs. Mkize
Plot: Stephen bought the Gertrude and child clothes. In this chapter
was the search for their son. They went to John’s shop(Stephen’s
brother). He goes in and he seems to be nice. They have some tea.
John is telling Stephen that its very different in Johannesburg from
Ndotsheni. John is saying that he was nobody before but now he is
some important guy in Johannesburg. He was saying that he doesn’t
have that much more freedom is Johannesburg but he was saying that
we need to follow the law and be meek to do this. He said something
about their hospital. People think its really important to find gold. He
said that all of the building, threaters, and everything else they made it
themselves. Stephen was silent after he stopped talking. This was a
new brother to him. John wife left him 10 years ago because she did
not understand his experience. They get angry. He tells him that he is
taking Gertrude back home. Then asks him where is his son is. He grew
discomfort in his eyes. He said that they were working at some factory.
John goes and call and get the address where they might be and gives
it to Stephen. They got info about Absalom ftom Mrs. Mkize and her
husband
Vocabulary:
Turban- a man’s headdress, consisting of long length of cotton or silk
wound around a cap or the head, worn esp. by Muslims and Sikhs
Parson- a beneficed member of the clergy; a rector or a vicar
Salute-a gesture of respect, homage, or polite recognition or
acknowledgement, esp. one made to or by a person when arriving or
departing
Sway- move or cause to move slowly rhythmically backwards and
forward or side by side
Cunning-having or showing skill in achievement one’s end by deceit or
evasion
Meek- quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on
Fidelity- faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by
continuing loyalty and support
Intervene- come between so as to prevent or alter a result or course of
events
Gratify- give(someone) pleasure or satisfaction
Lust- very strong sexual desire

Chapter 8
Characters: Msimngu, Stephen, The man, The police, dubula,
Tomlinson, white man, mrs. Mkize, hlabeni
Plot: They were about to take the bus but then a man asked him if he
was going to Alexandra. They said that the police are here to prevent
that from them going on the bus because they will weakening the
cause of the black people. They walk for 11 miles because they did not
take the bus. Then a white man in the car asked them where they are
going and they said Alexandra and then gave them a lift. He tells them
stories of how people attack white people. Potchefstroom road is a
dangerous road. They arrive. They ask where Absolm is and she said
she doesn’t know and there was fear in her eyes and they ask her do
you know wahta’s wrong an d she said there was nothing wrong and
then they asked her why is is tremble and she said because she is cold.
They left. Then Msimngu came back to talk to her trying to get it out of
her. He asked them what kind of life did they lead, she said they
brought many thing at night like clothes, watches, money and food in
bottles. He asked if there was any blood on it, she said she never seen
blood on it. He talks to the taxi driver, Hlabeni, asking him if he knew
where Abolm is and he said he is probably off at Orlando.
Vocabulary:
Persuasion- the action or fact of persuading someone or being
persuaded to do or believe something
Boycott- withdraw from commercial or social relations with (a country,
organization, or person) as a punishment or protest
Crippled- a person who is unable to walk or movel properly because of
disability or injury to their back or legs
Accommodation- an action of sccommodating or the process of being
accommodated
Kaffir- either of two South African plants with straplike leaves and
stems bearing a number of red, pink, or orange flowers
Yonder- at some distance in the direction indicated
Reluctance- unwillingness or disinclination to do something
Tremble- shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety,
excitement, or frailty
Sullenly- bad –tempered and sulky; gloomy
Squatters- a person who is unlawfully occupies an uninhabited building
or unused land
Immersed- a dip or submerge in a liquid

Chapter 9
Characters: Siyafa, Mrs. Seme, Mr. Dubula,
Plot: they are kind of renting a room with a house fill with people. And
that she was saying that she does not like this people and not she
needs to move out but he begs for one more week and then she said
he may have one more week. They are trying to get a house, There
have been people who have waited for 5 years for a house on the list.
They are like #6,000 on the list. There is a dying child in the book. Who
is trying to get a doctor but said they have to wait til morning. The
child is buring hot worst than fire, it burns the mother hand. This
chapter was quite confusing……
Vocabulary:
Ailing- in poor health
Quarrelled- an angry argument or disagreement, typically between
people who are usually on good terms

Chapter 10
Characters: Stephen, Gertrude, Gertrude’s child, Msmingu, Mrs.
Lithebe, Shanty Town, a Nurse, young white man,
Plot: They will still continue the search. They asked the nurse if she
have meant Absalom Kumalo. She did and gave them direction where
the house is and they had no problem finding Hlatshwayo house cuz he
might be there. They went to the house, the woman answers the door
and said that he was there but he was taken to the reformatory so they
went there. They go there and the people have meant him but he left
like a month ago mostly because there was a girl that was pregnanted
because of him and he was fond of her and anxious about the baby.
But he is not marry. He said that he will take them to Pimville where
they are living now. They went to the their house but Absalom was not
there, The girl said that he went to the springs but have not heard from
him since and doesn’t know if he will come back or not. Msmingu was
bitter about this. He was like are we gonna look for him day to day,
hour to hour, and will it ever end.

Vocabulary:
Intimacy- close familiarity or friendship; closeness
Perplexed-(of something complicated or inaccountable) cause
(someone) to feel completely baffled
Parson-a beneficed member of the clergy; a rector or vicar
Obscure- not discovered or known about; uncertain
Shrouded-a length of cloth or an enveloping garment in which a dead
person is wrapped in burial
Solemnly- formal and dignified
Melodious- of, producing, or having a pleasant tune
Enriched- improve or enchance the quality or value of
Desolate-(of a place) deserted of people and in a state of bleak and
dismal emptiness
Pitiless- showing no pity; cruel
Muse-be absorbed in thought
Contemplated- look thoughtfully for a long time at
Magistrate- a civil officer or lay judge who administers the law, esp.
one who conducts a court that deals with minor offenses and holds
preliminary hearings for more serious ones

Chapter 11
Characters- Stephen, Msimangu, Father Vincent, Arthur Jarvis,
Richard Mpiring, Michael Clarke, Mrs. Lithebe,
Plot- They talk about Arthur Jarvis death
Vocabulary-
Superintendent- a person who manages or superintends an
organization or activity
Exhaustive-examining, including, or considering all elements or
aspects; fully comprehensive

Chapter 12
Characters- Mr. McLaren, Mr. de Villiers, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Scott,
Jackson, John, Penelope, Mr. Msimangu,
Plot- They are talking about the native crime, Schooling, Protection,
and Laws. They are saying that we should be building homes and free
buses for them but some are saying its impossible. There are
thousands of voices crying out even churches. Talks about fear and
needs to knock it off?? Fear of unknown. They are asking for more
police for protection. There is great fear. Pg 112
Vocabulary-
Seclusion- the state of being private and away from other people
Vacillate- alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; be
indecisive
Juvenile- of, for, or relating to young people
Delinquency-minor crime, esp. committed by young people
Racquet- variant spelling of racket
Endured- suffer(something painful or difficult) patiently
Inheritor- receive(money, property, or a title) as an heir at the death of
the previous holder
Veld- open, uncultivated country or grassland in southern Africa. It is
conventionally classified by altitude into Highveld, middleveld, and
lowveld.

Chapter 13
Character: Stephen, Msimangu,
Plot: They went Ezenzeleni. Kumalo mediates and think about
everything, his grandson that will be born soon, his son’s thievery, and
the murder. And about despair but Msimangu reminds him that
despair is a sin, But then he was comforted by the help given to the
blind. He tells him that God will not forsake humankind. People blamed
him for Msimangu using his preaching gift to teach patience that many
of his people die
Vocabulary:
Astray- away from the correct path or direction
Probable- likely to be the case or to happen
Vagabond- a person who wanders from place to place without home or
job
Smote- past of smite
Osiers-a small Eurasian willow that grow mostly in wet habitats and is a
major source of the long flexible shoots (withies) used in basketwork
Covenant-an agreement
Folly-lack of good sense; foolishness
Despair- the complete loss or absence of hope

Chapter 14
Character-stephen, Mrs. Lithebe, Gertrude’s son, Msimangu, mens,
John, the two men that were with John, Father Vincent, Absalom (for
real this time)
Plot- It turns about that Absalom is the one that killed Arthur Jarvis
and that he was put in to prison and John was there when the crime
happened. Stephen goes and tells John the sad news. Stephen and
Absalom finally meet in prison. They talk but Absalom is feeling guility
and won’t quiet answer all of his questions. He tells him that he done
these terrible things because of the devil. He said that he did shot
Jarvis because he was afraid and he did it for protection but didn’t
know. He still wants to marry his girlfriend. Later on, they say that
they want a lawyer.
Vocabulary-
Halted- bring or come to an abrupt stop
Prodigal- spending money or resources freely and recklessly;
wastefully extravagant
Fidelity- faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by
continuing loyalty and support
Revolver-a pistol with revolving chambers enabling several shots to be
fired without reloading
Jest-a thing said or done for amusement
Magistrates-a civil officer or lay judge who administers the law, esp.
one who conducts a court that deal with minor offenses and holds
preliminary hearings or more serious ones
Bereft-deprived of or lacking something, esp. a nonmaterial asset
Irresolute- showing or feeling hesitancy; uncertain

Chapter 15
Character- Stephen, Mrs. Lithebe, Gertrude’s son, young white man,
Father Vincent
Plot- A young white man comes and tell Stephen that he needs a
lawyer because John is untrustworthy. Stephen and the young man
goes to Father Vincent and he has a lawyer in mind and that he will
help Absalom’s marriage. The young man leaves. Then Stephen talks
about his sorrow and Vincent said that sorrow is better than fear. Tells
him to pray and not to pray for this and to pray for what.
Vocabulary-
Unendurable- not able to be tolerated or endured
Impoverishes-make (a person or area) poor
Bereaved-be deprived of a loved one through a profound absence, esp.
due to the loved one’s death
Repent- feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s
wrongdoing or sin

Chapter 16
Characters- Msimangu, Absalom girlfriend, Stephen
Plot- Stephen goes to Absalom girlfriend to tell the the news that
Absalom is in prison and why. She gets upset. Stephen asks her if she
still wished to marry him. Her father left her family because her
mother was drunk a lot and she has two brothers. She ran away from
home. And she had three husbands since she ran away . They all have
been caught. The girl does nor know exactly how old she is but thinks
she is 16 years old. Stephen asks her to move near him and she said
yes. He says things that hurt her so he got ashamed and comfort her.
Vocabulary-
Perplexedness-
Quarreled- and angry argument or disagreement, typically between
people who are usually on good terms
Yielded- produce or provide (a natural agricultural, or industrial
product)
Compliance-the action or fact or complying with a wish or command
Forlorn-pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely
Astonished- surprise or impress (someone) greatly
Simplicity- the quality or condition of being easy to understand or do
Repent-feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s
wrongdoing or sin

Chapter 17
Characters- Mrs. Lithebe,
Plot-
Vocabulary-

Chapter 18
Characters- the police officers, van Jaarsveld, Binnendyk, Jarvis
Plot- Jarvis is the father of Arthur Jarvis that was killed by native
American. The police officers goes to him to tell him that his son was
shot dead and Jarvis is really sad about this and the police officers
arrange them to go to Johannesburg and trys to keep it from Mrs. Jarvis
for now. The plan to go the airport
Vocabulary-
Forlorn-pitifully sad and abandoned or lone;y
Seep-(oh a liquid) flow or leak slowly through porous material or small
holes
Ploughed-
Clods-a lump of earth or clay
Verandahs- a roofed platform along the outside of a house, level with
the ground floor
Contours- an outline, esp. one representing or bounding the shape or
form of something
Congenial-(of a person) pleasant because of a personality, qualities, or
interest that are similar to one’s own
Idle-(esp. of a machine or factory) not active or in use
Disinherit-change one’s will or take other steps to prevent (someone)
from inheriting one’s property
Indisposition-slighty unwell
Queer-strange, odd
Inexplicable-unable to explained or accounted for

Chapter 19
Characters- Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis, John Harrison, Mary, Mary’s children,
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, Phillipson,
Plot- they arrive at the airport, Harrison is there and he let them stay
in their place for they knew Arthur Jarvis. They said that they already
arranged the Funeral Harrison tells Mr. Jarvis the tale of his life and he
kinda enjoys it and they talk. Then they were saying something 3
blocks away fromhis house Phillipson got knocked down and his wife
beat up and lucky his girls were out at dance. Then they go to sleep.
Vocabulary-
Mortuary- a funeral home or morgue
Pondered-think about carefully, esp. before making a decision or
reaching a conclusion
Lingo-another term for the mountain cranberry, esp. in Scandinavia,
where the berries are much used in cooking
Barricading-an improvised barrier erected across the street or other
thoroughfare to prevent or delay the movement of opposing forces
Reciting-repeat aloud or declaim (a poem or passage) from memory
before an audience
Ineluctable-unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable
Chapter 20
Characters- Mr. Jarvis, Mrs. Jarvis, Mary, the Harrison family, Arthur
Jarvis (mentioned), Washington Lefifi
Plot- Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis went with Mary to Arthur's house. Mrs. Jarvis
and Mary left early, and went back to the Harrisons' house. Jarvis
stayed by himself and read his son's papers. Jarvis went back to the
Harrisons' house later that night.
Vocabulary-
Compelled-force or oblige (someone) to do something
Latter-situated or occurring nearer to the end of something than to the
beginning
Permissible-permitted; allowed
Impeded-delay or prevent(someone or something) by obstructing
them; hinder
Deteriorates- become progressively worse
Inevitable-certain to happen ; unavoiable
Evade- escape or avoid, esp. cleverness or trickery
Preliminary-denoting an action or event preceding or done in
preparation for something fuller or more important

Chapter 21
Characters- Mr. Jarvis, Mrs. Jarvis, Arthur Jarvis, Mary and her children,
Mr. Harrison, John Harrison
Plot- They all attended Arthur's funeral. Jarvis was told one of the
intruding men was Mary's gardener. Jarvis read the manuscripts his
son wrote.
Vocabulary-

Chapter 22
Characters- The Judge, Absalom, Stephen Kumalo, Msimangu,
Gertrude, Mrs. Lithebe, Mr. Jarvis, Mr. Prosecutor, Johannes, Matthew
Kumalo
Plot- In the beginning it kind of just told us the rules and stuff about
the Court and the Judge. Absalom trial began or the court. They started
asking him questions like why, and stuff. He says he will be guility for
homicide but not for killing for that he did not do it on purpose. He tells
them exactly what happened. They decided to do it on October 8th
around 1:00ish in the afternoon, that Johannes planned the robbery.
When they arrived they ended up facing the servant. They demanded
for money and clothes. He called for his master and they threw a iron
bar at him and then Arthur Jarvis came in and he accidentally fired the
weapon at him. They left. He said that the weapons are only to scare
people but they have no intention to kill.
Vocabulary-
Incorruptible- not susceptible to corruption, esp. by bribery
Assessors- a person who assesses someone or something in particular

Chapter 23
Characters-
Plot-Quite not sure
Vocabulary-

Chapter 24
Characters- Mr. Jarvis
Plot- Mr. Jarvis goes to Arthur Jarvis house, and he see the blood stain
where he was killed, he goes to the study room filled with books and
see a bunch of pictures. Then he finds an article called “private Essay
on the Evolution of a South African” It takes about his childhood and
his parents that taught him. But it also mentioned that he did not tell
him nothing about South Africa and Jarvis is hurted by this, he literally
leaves the house but comes back and continue reading it. Then he
stops and just sit down and think hard, then he leaves and looks up in
the sky and say he cannot take it anymore. The old chap cannot face it
anymore.
Vocabulary-
Permissible-permitted; allowed
Salute-a gesture of respect, homage, or polite recognition or
acknowledgement, esp. one made to or by a person when arriving or
departing
Aspire-direct one’s hope or ambition toward achieving something
Aspiration-a hope or ambition of achieving something

Chapter 25
Characters- Jarvis, the parson, Kumalo, Barbara, possibly Mrs. Jarvis
Plot- Jarvis goes to visited one of his favorite nieces, Barbara. She was
the one who was more upset about Arthur death way more than
himself. Kumalo soons revealed that it was his son that killed his son
the leaves abruptly. And he sees a parson that gets scared of him.
Vocabulary-
Prevailed-prove more powerful than opposing forces; be victorious
Hindrance-a thing that provided resistance, declay, or obstruction to
something or someone
Detain-keep (someone) in offical custody, typically for questioning
about a crime or in politically sensitive situations
Smote- ?
Inkosikazi-?
Pang- a sudden sharp pain or painful emotion
Chapter 26
Characters-Tomlinson, Stephen kumalo, Msimangu, Mr. Jarvis, John
Harrison, high officer, Harry
Plot- John Kumalo addresses a crowd with his powerful voice. His voice
rolls out like thunder, but his comrades Dubula and Tomlinson listen
with scorn and envy, for it is a powerful voice not backed by their
courage or intelligence. John argues that the wealth from the new gold
that has been found in South Africa should be shared with the miners.
Some of the white policemen on guard say that John should be shot or
imprisoned. Stephen Kumalo and Msimangu are among the listeners.
Kumalo is impressed, but Msimangu is skeptical—he knows that John
lacks courage, and wonders why God should have given this man a gift
of such oratorical skill. Still, he is thankful that John lacks heart,
because he believes that if John backed up his words with action, he
could plunge the country into violence and bloodshed. They move
forward to hear the next speaker, Tomlinson. Jarvis and John Harrison,
who have also been at the meeting, leave for Harrison’s club. Jarvis
refuses to discuss what he has just seen, simply stating that he does
not “care for that sort of thing.” An officer tells Jarvis that he is
dangerous. And that they might be some strike and will be nasty
business

Vocabulary-

Contempt-the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration,

worthless, or deserving
Resurgent-increasing or reviving after a period of little activity,
popularity, or occurrence
Wages-a fixed regular payment, typically paid on a daily or weekly
basis, made by an employer to an employee, esp. to a manual or
unskilled worker
Indiscriminate-done at random or without care judgment
Martyrdom-the death or suffering of a martyr
Orators-a public speaker, esp. one who is eloquent or skilled
Bilingualism-(of a person) speaking two languages fluently

Chapter 27
Characters- Gertrude, Mrs. Lithebe, Msimangu, Kumalo
Plot- Mrs. Lithebe again reprimands Gertrude for talking and laughing
carelessly. Gertrude is defensive and upset, and Mrs. Lithebe tells
Gertrude that she does not understand the ways of decent people.
Gertrude blames Johannesburg for her mistakes and says she will be
glad to be gone. a neighbor brings a newspaper that announces that
another white man has been murdered during a break-in by a native.
The neighbor and Mrs. Lithebe worry that the news will hurt Absalom’s
case. Msimangu arrives, and he and Mrs. Lithebe decide to hide the
paper from Kumalo. To prevent Kumalo from hearing the news, they
eat dinner at Mrs. Lithebe’s instead of at the mission. the group goes
to church and listens to a woman describe her decision to become a
nun. Later that night, Gertrude suggests to Mrs. Lithebe that she might
become a nun. Mrs. Lithebe is pleased but concerned. Gertrude asks
Absalom’s girlfriend if she will look after Gertrude’s son if Gertrude
becomes a nun, and the girl agrees. Gertrude makes Absalom’s
girlfriend promise to keep Gertrude’s idea a secret until it is final, but
Gertrude hopes out loud that this decision will keep her from her
careless lifestyle.

Vocabulary-

Stout-(of a person) somewhat fat or of heavy build

Frail-(of a person) weak and delicate
Impulse-a sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to act

Chapter 28
Characters- the Judge, Johannes Pafuri, Absalom, 0---p
Plot- The judge delivers his verdict on Absalom’s crime. While a Zulu
interpreter translates, the judge explains that even though Arthur’s
servant identified Johannes as having been present during the break-
in, there is not enough proof to convict Johannes. he acknowledges
that Absalom’s testimony is vivid and thby plenty of circumstantial
evidence, the judge also wonders out loud whether Absalom named his
accomplices to alleviate his own guilt. the judge declares Johannes and
Matthew not guilty, although he hopes there will be further
investigation into their previous criminal activities. The judge turns his
attention to Absalom. Absalom had truly fired in fear, the judge says,
the charge of murder would have to be dropped, but he says the fact
that Absalom brought a loaded revolver into the house and that the
servant was struck with an iron bar demonstrate an intention to kill. he
finds Absalom guilty of murder. The judge believes there are no special
grounds for mercy, which means that Absalom is sentenced to hang.

Vocabulary-
Rendered-(provided) a service