In a small yet evolving town in England, a black Madonna statue carved from bog oak captures both curiosity and devotion at the Church of the Sacred Heart. Amidst this setting lives the Parkers, a couple who embody an aristocratic lifestyle but are haunted by their inability to have children. Their story intertwines with themes of friendship, faith, and the unforeseen consequences of answered prayers.

The Parkers' Aristocratic Life

Lou and Raymond Parker reside in Whitney Clay, where their marriage is perceived as happy, albeit childless. They distinguish themselves from their middle-class peers through cultivated aristocratic tastes. As devout Roman Catholics, their childlessness is a source of concern, yet they remain active in church activities, participating in various guilds and confraternities.

Friendship and Social Dynamics

Lou prides herself on her refined sensibilities, which the narrator describes as "sensible" rather than snobbish. When Jamaican workers Oxford St. John and Henry Pierce are hired at Raymond's automobile factory, the Parkers extend their friendship to them. This friendship flourishes to the point where Henry joins them on a family trip to London. There, they visit Lou’s destitute sister, Elizabeth, and her eight children, witnessing the harsh living conditions. Henry’s comparison of Elizabeth’s "slum mentality" to conditions in Jamaica offends Lou, as she insists such parallels are inappropriate, considering Elizabeth's race. Lou reassures herself that Elizabeth isn’t entirely destitute, as she sends financial support weekly.

A Waning Friendship

As time passes, Lou's enthusiasm for her newfound friends diminishes. She finds Oxford too ordinary and Henry too uncouth. While their friendships cool, the black Madonna in the church gains renown for its miraculous interventions. It is believed that those who present their prayers to this unconventional icon often receive what they ask for, including childless couples who yearn for children. The Parkers experience this firsthand after Lou prays for Oxford’s departure, and he soon announces his move to Manchester. Similarly, Lou's prayers for Henry's well-being are answered. Encouraged by these outcomes, Lou convinces Raymond to join her in praying for a child, though Raymond suspects her motivations lean more toward testing the Madonna's powers than genuine desire for a family. Lou persuades him by reasoning that a child will only come if it is "meant to be."

The Answered Prayers

Lou’s eventual pregnancy seems to validate the efficacy of their prayers to the Madonna. However, the narrative takes a surprising turn upon the birth of their daughter, who is black. The Parkers, unable to accept this unexpected result, reject the baby. The narrator subtly hints at the potential dangers in getting exactly what one prays for, suggesting a cautionary tale in the Parkers' story.