A month after Malachi disappears from Pottstown, Moshe cleans up the All-American Dance Hall and Theater after a blues sock hop. Still unsettled, Moshe recalls sending Nate to check Malachi’s bakery, then receiving two letters (postmarked Chicago and Des Moines) instructing Moshe how to sell the bakery and where to send the money.

Reluctantly, Moshe carries out Malachi’s request, arranging a sale to two newly arrived Jewish brothers from Lithuania and dealing with town offices himself. As he does, Moshe wrestles with Malachi’s criticisms of America and Malachi’s remark that Black people “have the advantage” because they know who they are, a comment Moshe rejects but cannot shake.

Nate interrupts Moshe’s thoughts and asks to speak privately, pointing out a young worker: Nate’s nephew, Dodo. Nate explains Dodo is about ten, partially deaf after an accident, and recently orphaned when his mother, Thelma, died; Nate and Addie have taken the boy in. Moshe suggests Doc Roberts, but Nate dismisses the idea, and Moshe reflects on Chona’s long-running conflict with Doc Roberts and the town’s racism.

Nate reveals the new problem: a state man has visited and plans to take Dodo to a “special school” in Spring City, against the boy’s wishes. Nate asks to hide Dodo in the theater for a few days until the man stops looking. Though frightened of government attention, Moshe agrees to let Dodo sleep in the basement by the old stove and says he will speak to Chona.

That night Moshe tells Chona what he has done, expecting her fearlessness to settle the matter. Instead, Chona becomes furious that Moshe sent a grieving child to sleep in a cold basement “with the rats,” insisting Dodo is still vulnerable even if he cannot hear. Chona orders Moshe to put out the basement fire and bring Dodo home.