Cry, the Beloved Country: Book I, Chapter 16 Summary & Analysis

The next day, Stephen goes to visit his son’s pregnant girlfriend. He finds her, and breaks the news of Absalom’s crime and arrest. She is devastated, but says that she still wants to marry him. Stephen does not appear to believe her, and says that he cannot let her marry his son if she doesn’t want to be in his family. Obviously hungry for family, she fervently repeats that she does want to be in his family.

Stephen asks the girl about her parents. As she regales him with the sad story of abandonment and loss, he discovers that she has been with three men, including his son, since leaving home. Stephen is angry with this, and testing her, asks if he can be another one of her “husbands.” She is confused and upset, but reluctantly agrees, and then bursts into tears. Stephen immediately feels terrible about what he has done, apologizes, and speaks kindly to her. He asks her how old she is, and she says that she thinks she is sixteen. He asks if she would desire to leave Johannesburg to come and live with him and his wife, in a quiet place. Again, she excitedly says that she would desire that. He is pleased, but makes her promise that if she changes her mind, she should just tell him, and not run away.

She promises. Stephen says that he will find her a place to live, not in this place. The girl seems excited and pleased about this arrangement. He leaves feeling a little lighter.