Chapter 12 Summary

Mark is finally getting a new vicarage, built with willing assistance by the entire village. During the construction, he stays with Marta, getting spoiled by her cooking of a number of Indian delicacies. He also enjoys getting to know the elders that stop in to tell stories, learning a great deal about the village culture and history. Jim and Keetah often dine with them, and Mark encourages Keetah to record the stories so they will not be lost when the elders pass on. When Gordon comes home to visit, however, Jim and the elders stay away. Gordon is not interested in the past and the stories.

All the materials for the vicarage are delivered at the mouth of the river, and then they must be transported up to the village. After much consultation with the entire community, a forestry barge is hired to...