Chapter 11 Summary

Before he goes inside to talk to Junto, Boots contemplates what it could be that is so important it cannot wait until morning. He decides that it must have to do with Junto helping him dodge the draft by arranging an unnecessary surgical procedure.

Boots recalls the day he talked to Junto about the draft. Junto was questioning him as to why he did not want to be drafted and Boots explained, "Them white guys in the army are fighting for something. I ain't got anything to fight for. If I wasn't working for you I'd be changing sheets on Pullman berths. And learning fresh all over again every day that I didn't belong anywhere. Not even here in this country where I was born."

Boots is astonished to learn that it is not the draft dodging that Junto wants to discuss. Junto...