The Koppie was also a surprise because Hortensia had reached the age of eighty-five without having understood the meditative power of walking.
-- Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: When Peter gets sick, Hortensia takes to walking to the Koppie. She finds it sad that it has taken her so long in life to learn about the importance and power of walking. This itself is reflective of the slowness Hortensia has in coming to befriend her neighbor, Marion.

Hortensia James was a thief.
-- Narrator (chapter 2)

Importance: The root of Marion’s antagonism toward Hortensia has less to do with race than it has to do with living location. Hortensia lives in No. 10, a house designed by Marion and a house which Marion has long hoped to live in. That Hortensia lives in the house now is considered a travesty by Marion, as Marion herself wants to live there.

There was confusion first, then anger. Betrayal, a close third.
-- Narrator (chapter 4)

Importance: When Hortensia...