Chapter 3 Summary

From his study window, Hightower can see the street running by his house, and the weathered, hand-painted sign which he crafted laboriously some years ago. The sign advertises Hightower's artistic services, including art lessons, hand-painted greeting cards, and photography development. He had put up the sign hoping to earn some income after losing his position in the church twenty-five years ago. Hightower still has a monthly income, inherited from his father, but he sends half of it to a charity for delinquent girls, and thus does not have enough to meet his daily needs. The sign has brought him very little business over the years, and the locals scarcely notice it anymore. However, if a passing stranger were to ask one of the townsfolk about the sign, they would tell him about Hightower and his disgrace.

Hightower, the townsfolk would say, originally came...