The day before his son is to die, Kumalo tells his wife he is going to walk up the mountain. He has done it twice before-once when Absalom was sick as a young boy, and once when he was considering giving up the priesthood for a store that would pay much more. He has done it once in secret also, when he was tempted to commit adultery. He wants to look at his beautiful country. On his way, he meets Jarvis accidentally. Jarvis tells him he is going to live with his daughter-in-law in Johannesburg. He asks him about the young boy-does Kumalo think he is like Arthur? Kumalo agrees that he is. He does not really remember Arthur, but he sees that James needs to hear it. Then James asks where Kumalo is going. When he tells him, James says, "One thing is about to be finished, but here is something that is only begun." Chapter 36, pg.
272 Stephen goes up the mountain. He tries not to think about all the ways Absalom's life might have been different. He prays for forgiveness for all of his sins, and he thanks God for all the kind people he met in Johannesburg. He sleeps, knowing he is old and his life is nearly finished. He knows he will not see Africa restored, but he has hope, even though he knows many people are against change in their country. He sleeps again and wakes suddenly, afraid that he is too late-he has heard that men are hanged at sunrise. But he is just in time. He thinks about what Absalom is doing and feeling right now. He waits silently until the sun rises. "But when the dawn will come, of our emancipation, from the fear of bondage and the bondage of fear, why, that is a secret." Chapter 35, pg. 276
