Cry, the Beloved Country: Book III, Chapter 32 Summary & Analysis

Letters arrive in Ixopo for Stephen. One of them is from Mr. Carmichael. It explains that there was to be no mercy, and Absalom would be executed in just over two weeks. Stephen shows the letter to his wife. She looks heartbroken as she reads the letter, but then tells Stephen that he should try and keep his mind busy by going about his duties for the day. Stephen then reads another letter, from his son. Absalom repeats that there has been no mercy, but that they are kind to him in the prison. As Stephen reads these letters, dark clouds roll through the sky—soon, they will have rain.

When Stephen goes outside, he sees a strange scene—the magistrate, James Jarvis, and other white men are arranging sticks in the ground near the church. The storm clouds grow fiercer and fiercer, and the storm comes up so quickly that James has to take shelter inside the church with Stephen. Inside, the roof leaks heavily from the rain. They spend some time there, waiting for the storm to stop. James asks Stephen if there has been mercy for Absalom, and Stephen shows him the letter. James tells Stephen that he will think of Absalom when that day comes. The rain stops, and James leaves. Stephen is so preoccupied with his thoughts that he does not thank James for the milk, or say anything else to him.

That night, the community is puzzled about the nature of the sticks in the ground. The children play games around them. The man with the milk makes his delivery, and asks Stephen what they are for, but Stephen says that he does not know.