The scene returns to New York as Irene is contemplating the newest letter she has received from Clare Kendry. It has been two years since Irene has seen or heard from Clare, and she is surprised that a letter from Clare can still stir her anger. Irene is especially agitated when she recalls Clare’s husband’s terribly prejudiced views toward Negroes. As for Clare’s complete lack of concern for other people's feelings, Irene is not in the least surprised.

After contemplating Clare’s letter, Irene decides that going through such a humiliating experience once was bad enough; she will not allow Clare to drag her through another one. To this end, Irene is determined not to see Clare again. Clare has chosen her path, and it is not Irene’s responsibility to soothe the longing Clare expresses in her letter. Irene feels no duty to ease Clare’s to ease her need to be with her own people, as she put it. When Clare had the chance to check her husband’s bigotry, she said nothing. Irene has trouble forgiving Clare for allowing John to belittle Negroes so harshly. She could have stood up to him without betraying herself. Instead, she said nothing.

Without realizing it, Irene’s anger has spilled out of her thoughts and into words she has spoken aloud. When Irene’s husband, Brian, hears Irene curse someone, he comes into the bedroom and asks Irene what the trouble is. Irene hands Clare’s letter to Brian. After reading it, Brian says it is strange how Negroes who pass for white always seem to want to come back. He claims it never fails. Then he suggests that Irene not give in to Clare and provide a chance for the woman to sneak back into Irene’s life. Brian is concerned that Clare will pester Irene until Irene gives in.

Irene responds by claiming she has already decided to put a definitive end to the matter. She will answer Clare’s letter and let her know that she does not favor another meeting. She does not intend to play the link between Clare and her “darker brethren.” When Brian turns back to his morning newspaper, Irene expands on her thoughts. She finds it odd that, as a race, black people tend to disapprove of passing and yet they also condone it. Although they feel contempt for the light-skinned Negroes who pass, they also want to protect them.

Later as Brian drives Irene downtown, Irene opens a discussion about their sons. She wanted to suggest that maybe some schooling in Europe might offer the boys a needed change, but she does not express this as smoothly as she had intended. When she complains about her sons’ education, Brian takes offense. The next thing she knows, she is answering him in tones filled with anger. She had brought the up subject because she felt Brian’s familiar restlessness. His unanswered desires for something new scare her. She thought he had gotten over this a long time ago, but here it is back again.

She knows Brian does not like working in New York and wants to go back to Brazil, where he is from. Irene had thought that Brian might more easily settle down after taking the boys to Europe. She cannot understand why he is not happy in a stable, though sometimes monotonous, routine. Irene, on the other hand, thrives on monotony. She loves the security she feels in knowing what each day will bring. She wonders why Brian does not want the same things she wants.