Summary

One evening, John watched his father, Stanley, walk home. He was carrying his usual bag, containing "a Bible" and "a hymn-book" (60). Stanley converted to Christianity and became a preacher when John was a little boy. Ever since, John had "feared his father” (60).

When Stanley arrived, John moved to leave. Stanley demanded to know if he was going to the village. John stammered, avoiding Stanley's gaze. Stanley always looked at him like a sinner. Sometimes John thought he was. Stanley insisted he make eye contact. Suddenly John felt Stanley knew his secret. Then Stanley asked about John's journey the following week. As John moved to leave again, Stanley instructed him not to make "trouble in the village" (61).

After John left, John’s mother, Susana, asked Stanley why he could not leave John alone. She and Stanley had married young. "They had been happy" until...