Summary — Chapter 28
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. Although
he acknowledges that Absalom’s testimony is vivid and that it was
corroborated by plenty of circumstantial evidence, the judge also
wonders out loud whether Absalom named his accomplices to alleviate his
own guilt. For these reasons, 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. He agrees with
many of Mr. Carmichael’s arguments regarding Absalom’s remorse,
the honesty of his testimony, and his youth. He also mentions Carmichael’s
argument that the destruction of tribal society and the conditions
of native life in Johannesburg contributed to the crime. The judge
explains, however, that he must uphold the law, even if that law
was made by an unjust society. If 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. Therefore, he finds Absalom guilty of murder. The
judge believes there are no special grounds for mercy, which means
that Absalom is sentenced to hang. Only the governor-general-in-council
can lessen Absalom’s sentence. The young man from the reformatory,
who has attended the trial, crosses the color line that separates
whites and blacks in the courtroom in order to help Kumalo exit.
Summary — Chapter 29
Father Vincent, Kumalo, Gertrude, Msimangu, and Absalom’s
girlfriend go to the prison so that Absalom can be married. After
the marriage, Absalom and his father have a final meeting. Absalom sends
his remembrances to his mother and directs his father to his last
savings and possessions, which will help with the upkeep of his son.
Kumalo bitterly mentions that he finds it hard to forgive Matthew
and Johannes for abandoning Absalom. The time comes for Absalom
to be taken away, and he begins to weep because he is afraid of
dying. Two guards have to pull Absalom from his father’s knees when
it is time for Kumalo to leave. Outside, Absalom’s girlfriend joyfully
greets Kumalo as her father, but he is too distracted to pay much
attention to her.
Kumalo goes to say good-bye to his brother. After some
tense pleasantries, John tells Kumalo that he intends to bring Matthew back
to his shop once the trouble has passed. Kumalo asks John where
his politics are taking him. John replies that Kumalo should not
interfere with his politics since he does not interfere with Kumalo’s
religion. Kumalo warns John that his words may get him in trouble
with the police, and when he sees fear in his brother’s eyes, Kumalo
presses further in order to hurt John. Kumalo lies and says that
he has heard that a spy has come to John’s shop and has been reporting
on the secret conversations John conducts there. When John shakes
his head at the thought of being betrayed by a friend, Kumalo angrily
cries out that his son had two such friends. John drives him from
the store, and Kumalo walks away, distressed that he has failed
in his mission to warn John against the corrupting influence of
power.
The Jarvises bid their farewell to the Harrisons, who
agree with the sentencing and wish the other two men had been convicted
as well. Jarvis agrees. At the station, Jarvis slips John Harrison
an envelope containing a check for a thousand pounds for the boys’ club
that John and Arthur founded.
There is a farewell gathering for Kumalo at Mrs. Lithebe’s
house. Msimangu tells Kumalo that he has decided to renounce all
of his possessions and become a monk. He gives Kumalo his savings,
over thirty-three pounds—more money than Kumalo has ever possessed. Kumalo
falls to his knees in amazement and decides to send John a letter
to apologize for his actions. The following morning, he wakes Absalom’s
wife for the journey to Ndotsheni. In Gertrude’s room, however,
he finds her son and her clothes neatly laid out, but Gertrude is
gone.
