The Story of an African Farm

Bonaparte becomes friendlier with Tant’ Sannie even as he distances himself from Otto. Tant’ Sannie is unhappy with Otto; some sheep from her flock are missing, but Otto has given her some of his own to compensate for the loss and believes that the rift will quickly heal. He protects the local man who has been watching the herd from Tant’ Sannie’s anger. He also insists on his affection for everyone who lives on the farm.

Bonaparte gets ready to leave, saying that he has business elsewhere that night. He blesses Waldo before the boy’s journey to the mill, where he will be gone for several days. Bonaparte walks back to the main house, laughing to himself.

Otto goes out to look for the lost sheep but does not find them. Instead, he happens upon an indigenous servant with a baby; she has been turned out of the house without food. Otto brings her some provisions from the house in secret. He returns to the farm, happy in his deed.

When he arrives, however, he finds that Em is crying and that Lyndall looks scared. Tant’ Sannie begins shouting at Otto: She has been told, presumably by Bonaparte, that Otto threatened her over the dismissal of the maid and that Otto believes that Tant’ Sannie is in love with him and will marry him, giving him control of her farm.