Stamp Paid, still faithful to his Christian calling, finds Paul D at the church, begs his pardon for interfering, and offers him shelter in any home in the black neighborhood. Paul D relieves Stamp Paid's anguish by admitting that Reverend Pike did open his residence to him. Paul D refused the offer because he preferred to be alone. Stamp Paid insists that his black neighbors are hospitable, even if they do react harshly to excesses of pride.
Trying to make amends for interfering with Paul D and Sethe’s relationship, Stamp Paid tells Paul D about the anger that caused him to consider killing his wife, Vashti, for her months-long sexual relationship with her white owner. The humiliation he felt from his wife’s relationship caused him to change his name from Joshua to Stamp Paid. He states that his desire to murder was as low as slavery ever made him.
As Paul D presses for information about Judy, a black neighbor who has offered to open her home to him, Stamp Paid interrupts with an eyewitness account of Sethe's infanticide. He declares, "She ain't crazy. She love those children. She was trying to outhurt the hurter." Stamp Paid presses Paul D about what he fears in 124. Paul D acknowledges that Beloved's abrupt appearance and behavior disturb him. His rapid calculation of a lifetime of suffering leaves him with one question, "How much is a nigger supposed to take?"
