Act 2, Scene 4 Summary

The next day is Saturday and Reuben and Zonia are outside the boardinghouse, where Reuben shares the disturbing events of the night before; he heard Bynum's moans and incantations and he also witnessed the unnerving sight of Miss Mabel, Seth's dead mother. Miss Mabel wants Reuben to release the pigeons which had belonged to Reuben's now dead friend, Eugene, whom Reuben sorely misses. Reuben hates to lose another friend, but he realizes that Zonia too will be leaving with her father today to resume the search for Martha.

Bertha suggests another boardinghouse to Herald and offers breakfast to him and Zonia before they leave. Mattie offers up the idea that Martha may be involved with another man since it has been eleven years since Herald has seen Martha. Mattie hates to see Herald and Zonia leave, and she gives Zonia a...