Summary

Mr. Benson mourns the loss of the Bradshaws as friends and congregants. Mr. Bradshaw shuns him in public and no longer attends his church. But when Mr. Benson runs into Jemima in town, she apologizes for being cruel to Ruth and asks how she is. Jemima tells Mr. Benson that she thinks he did the right thing by taking her in. Leonard is angry and ashamed and never wants to leave the house. Ruth takes his anger quietly and everyone hopes that this will slowly teach Leonard about how to bear pain and shame with dignity. Ruth is unable to find work and though she does not complain, she is bored and frustrated. The household is not dangerously impoverished, but they have lost Ruth’s salary and the part of Mr. Benson’s salary that came from Mr. Bradshaw.

Mr. Farquhar is grateful...