It is late February, and Grant is at school grading papers during recess when Mr. Farrell Jarreau comes to tell him that the date has been set for Jefferson's execution and that Grant and Rev. Ambrose have been summoned to Henri Pichot's mansion. Leaving Irene in charge, Grant heads for Pichot's house, where he meets Rev. Ambrose. After offering them coffee, Inez tells the two men that the sheriff is due to arrive shortly. Several minutes later, she returns to inform them that the sheriff has arrived and that he and Pichot want to meet with them in the front parlor. As soon as Grant and Rev. Ambrose are seated, Sheriff Guidry informs them that Jefferson's execution has been set for "Friday, April eighth, between noon and three." He then asks if Miss Emma will need a doctor and offers to send Dr. Sid Gilroy to look after her when he gets back to town. As the sheriff prepares to leave, Rev. Ambrose reminds him of this offer, and the sheriff calls Dr. Gilroy to arrange for a visit with Miss Emma.
As the men leave Pichot's mansion, Rev. Ambrose stops to comfort Inez and then offers Grant a ride to Miss Emma's, but Grant declines and starts walking in the opposite direction. That evening, after stopping by the school to pick up his papers, Grant pays a brief visit to Miss Emma, then heads home to eat the food Tante Lou has prepared for him. After dinner, Vivian comes by. After a brief interval, the two head back to Miss Emma's, where even more people have gathered to demonstrate their support for Jefferson's godmother, who has taken to her sick bed. After serving them coffee, Inez tells Grant that Miss Emma wants to speak to him. Miss Emma tells Grant that she doesn't know when she'll be able to visit Jefferson again and that she hopes Grant and Rev. Ambrose will work together. After their visit, Grant and Vivian go to the Rainbow Club, where Grant reveals his pain, anger, and frustration to Vivian and tells her that it is up to Jefferson to break the vicious cycle of hopelessness and despair plaguing the black community.
