Chapter Eighteen Summary

Peekay is back at Barberton during his holidays, and he always finds that the town changes very little. There are some differences, like the fact that the two white races of the country seem to be coming to terms with each other; the Boers no longer leave the building when God Save the King is played at the end of concerts, for example. The prison is much improved, with the letter-writing program in full swing and is now incorporating a tutorial session. These proceedings are conducted by two Pentecostal missionaries, although they strenuously object to the distribution of cigarettes to prisoners who do well at their studies. Peekay claims his spot on the boxing team every holiday, and although he continues to win, he feels that his progress as a boxer is beginning to stagnate.

After practicing with the team each...