Smith's comment that she doesn't care what happened to Sibeko's daughter. The best demonstration of the compassion that James Jarvis shows for Stephen Kumalo occurs when he inquires about Sibeko's daughter. Yet Paton does not make Stephen Kumalo merely the object of pity Kumalo does bring himself to admit to Jarvis that it was his son who killed Arthur, thus demonstrating his own courage and honesty. Faced with a man in such a lamentable condition, James Jarvis can only act with pity and tenderness toward a man so consumed with pain and guilt over his son's actions. Alan Paton makes clear that Stephen Kumalo feels great shame and weakness as he meets James Jarvis, who initially believes that the old pastor's behavior is a sign of severe illness. The behavior of Stephen Kumalo throughout this chapter is part of the impetus for James Jarvis's kindness toward him. The confrontation between the two men is surprisingly tender instead of portraying great discomfort between the two men as they have this chance meeting, Paton quickly dismisses the possibility of any animosity between the two men. It is the letter from Sibeko that serves as the impetus for the first direct meeting between Stephen Kumalo and James Jarvis and leads to a sense of reconciliation for the two men. Kumalo leaves respectfully, and when he leaves Jarvis admits to his wife that he is disturbed because of something that came out of the past. She says that she does not know and does not care where the girl is, but when Jarvis translates this to Kumalo in Zulu, he leaves out the fact that she does not care. The Smith daughter returns, and tells Kumalo that Sibeko's daughter was fired because she started to brew liquor on her room and was sent to jail. Jarvis tells Kumalo that there is no anger in him. Kumalo finally admits that it was his son who killed Arthur. Kumalo admits that it is a very heavy thing between them, and he is afraid to tell, for it is the heaviest thing of all their years. Jarvis tells Kumalo that he recognizes him, but he does not know the relationship between them.
Jarvis goes to get water for Kumalo, and when he returns Kumalo brings a paper from Sibeko for his daughter, the Smith's servant.
Kumalo begins to tremble, and Jarvis believes that he is ill.
Kumalo is surprised to see Jarvis, and sits down on the step as if he were ill or starving. While Jarvis reads, there is a knock on the door, and he finds Stephen Kumalo there. James and Margaret Jarvis visit Barbara Smith, one of Margaret's nieces, on a day on which court is not in session.
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