Contents
CHAPTER 37
Overview
Mrs. Gidley’s idea of a public gala is rejected, preserving Theo’s one-by-one mission. At the Fedder, Cleave Torber confronts Theo over Clarise’s invitation, destroys her portrait, and nearly turns violent. Derrick Prentiss diffuses the scene. Though shaken, Theo resolves to continue his bestowals and mourns the desecration.
Summary
Mrs. Gidley once urges Theo to stage a public gala to return all portraits, but Theo refuses, valuing the intimacy and stories of individual meetings. He targets Clarise, whose portrait shows beauty shadowed by loss, and doubts she will come. He waits early at the Fedder on a quiet June evening.
At seven, Clarise does not arrive; at seven‑oh‑five, Cleave Torber approaches, furious and confrontational. Accusing Theo of predation and resenting Clarise’s portrait, Cleave blocks Theo and threatens violence. Derrick Prentiss, passing by after court, recognizes Theo and steps in, urging Cleave to leave and avoid more trouble.
Attempting peace, Theo offers the wrapped portrait for Clarise. Cleave instead smashes it to the pavement and grinds it under his heel, drawing gawkers. Theo, horrified, surges with anger and hurls bilingual insults, but Derrick physically and verbally separates the men and orders Cleave away. Cleave exits across Broadway.
Derrick retrieves the ruined portrait and reintroduces himself, revealing his connection to Minnette’s earlier meeting with Theo. He warns that some may misread Theo’s kindness. Theo, pale and shaken, declines an escort and asks Derrick to greet Minnette. Derrick departs, leaving Theo staring at the wrecked drawing.
Walking home, Theo briefly questions the safety and wisdom of continued bestowals, then reaffirms his mission, planning to consult Mr. Ponder and Mrs. Gidley about precautions. That night he unwraps the damage: shattered glass, broken frame, torn paper, and a boot print marring Clarise’s cheek. He lays the desecrated drawing to rest and concludes, bitterly, that he has now met a Southerner he does not like.