Summary

Chapter 12 is “William.” No one says anything after Vernon's comment about William's fight until Vernon finally says that he knows a police officer who told about a fight in a speakeasy between a black boy and a white boy. Vernon says the white boy wound up with a broken leg, “or was it his arm?” (75). The police had found Clarence at his mother's house and exacted justice themselves. Vernon then talks directly to William, asking if he wants to be a “righteous man” (76). William wishes Stanley would intervene, but he does not and William answers with a “yes” (77).

William later tries to apologize to Adeline, but he still does not understand that he is supposed to be sorry for what happened to Clarence. Over the coming days, William convinces himself that his apology should have been enough for Adeline and that...