Jones returns from painting an apartment upstairs to find that Min, in the words of Mrs. Hedges, is “gone for keeps” (374). He is both relieved and upset, thinking that “[h]e should have killed her this morning” (376),while also being excited at the possibility of freedom. As he rearranges furniture inside the apartment, he sees the dusty outline of Min’s cross on the wall. The shape continues to “haunt” (378) him as a reminder of both his mistreatment of Min and his own general wickedness.

Standing back outside, Jones considers quitting this job and leaving the building altogether. No one seems to like him, and he never quite learned how to deal with other people. His one goal before he does move is to make sure he gets even with Lutie Johnson for rebuffing him. 

Suddenly, two white men approach and begin questioning him. They are from the postal service, and are investigating the recent spate of letters stolen from mailboxes on the street. Jones informs the men about Bub’s suspicious behavior, and helps them identify Bub when he arrives home from school.