Summary

As they get their breath back after being startled by the falling pine, Turner tells Lizzie about inheriting Mrs. Cobb’s house, and about his plans to have her and other residents of Malaga Island live there. Lizzie tells him it will never be allowed to happen because she’s black, and he protests that “it won’t make a bit of difference”, a phrase he keeps repeating to himself all the way home, but believes less and less the more he repeats it.

When Turner arrives home, he discovers that Mr. Stonecrop is there, and has been talking with Reverend and Mrs. Buckminster about plans for Mrs. Cobb’s house: it is to be sold, with a portion of the proceeds being set aside to pay for Turner’s “ministerial education”. Turner tells him he won’t agree, and reveals his true plans...