The Garies and Their Friends

Mr. Walters has a meeting with the Garies’ lawyer, Mr. Balch, who has just received a letter from another lawyer about a white man who claims to be the heir to the Garie estate. As Mr. Garie’s will has gone missing, they may have no choice but to cede the claim. Then, Mr. Stevens walks into the office. He says that he is the rightful heir to the estate because he is the son of Mr. Garie’s father’s estranged sister (making him Mr. Garie’s first cousin). Mr. Walters attacks Mr. Stevens. Mr. Balch breaks them up, escorts Mr. Walters out, and discusses with Mr. Stevens. Mr. Balch says that if Mr. Stevens does not agree to provide for the Garie children, he will accuse Mr. Stevens of plotting the murder of Mr. Garie. They negotiate that Mr. Stevens will give the children $15,000 from the estate.

In Warmouth, Charlie receives art lessons from a friend of Mrs. Bird and is found to be a “prodigy” (262). One morning, Charlie gets a letter from his sister informing him of his father’s illness and of the loss of their house. He tells Mrs. Bird that he must return to Philadelphia.