Summary

The third scene returns to the Beach, where Brother Jero is preaching to his congregation. He is wearing a white flowing gown and a white velvet cape. In a soliloquy to the audience, Brother Jero explains that he took money from Amope in order to buy himself the cape, which distinguishes him from his competitors—“charlatans” (210), he calls them—on the Beach. He has devised a number of new names for himself, including “the Velvet-Hearted Jeroboam” and “Immaculate Jero, Articulate Hero of Christ’s Crusade” (210). Then, Brother Jeroboam thinks about Chume’s request to beat his wife, and thinks that he must keep his followers “dissatisfied” (211) so that they continue to require his services.

As Jero thinks about Amope and Chume, a young girl passes by him on her way to go swimming. After she gets out of...