Chapter 20 Summary

The narrator has to adjust to the rhythms of Harlem again and visits a bar expecting to find a Brother Maceo. Maceo is described as being one of the narrator's best contacts. When the narrator addresses two men at the bar as brothers, they become offended and begin to hassle the narrator. One of the men accuses the narrator of getting white fever and leaving Harlem. The narrator is surprised by this treatment, and after hearing that Maceo does not visit the bar, often finishes another beer and heads for the district office. While walking along, the narrator has accidentally almost walked to Mary's house. At the district, the narrator is surprised to find the windows dark and no sign of Brother Tarp. The narrator is beginning to fully realize that members have lost interest and have left the Brotherhood because they stopped...