Chapter 20 Summary

In March, winter begins to lift and spring arrives. T.P. Wallace announces that he will hold a potlatch for Jim, passing the family rights and ceremonies to him, as Jim will stay in the village and carry on the traditions. These family rights and ceremonies would have gone to Gordon had he chosen to stay in the village. The villagers gather in groups, and all of them work to plan and carry out the potlatch, which will involve over 300 people. During this time, Marta observes Mark and realizes that he is not just thin from the winter. His death is approaching. She writes to the bishop, telling him he should come to the potlatch, fulfilling her promise to watch over Mark and notify the bishop when it was time.

The potlatch lasts two full days, with Mark and the bishop occupying places...