Summary

Nine years later, Mary has fallen in love with Richard Collins. He wants to be a doctor, and Mary graduates as the virgin valedictorian. Mary is upset that she and her mother have to go get Nora’s dress in Charlotte when Nora could have done it herself. While there, Mary finds a dress she likes, and she goes in to try it on knowing Hazel cannot stop her. Nora’s dress shop will not let Hazel in because they are closed, so Mary tells the owner that she is Nora’s granddaughter, and he gives her the dress while criticizing Black people. When they get home, Hazel slaps Mary.

Richard tells Mary that instead of being a doctor, he wants to take over his father’s business because even up North, he will not be wanted as a Black man. He...