Ragtime Chapter 38 Summary

  • Washington tells the press that the entire library is a bomb ready to go off at any moment. Then he phones other black leaders and tells them to come and demonstrate in opposition to Coalhouse.
  • Father arrives and understands that Coalhouse has modified his demands. He tells Whitman.
  • A telegram arrives from Morgan which says they should give Coalhouse his car and then hang him. Father tells Whitman he can save face by saying that Morgan said to give him the car. A plan is put into place to get the car. Whitman sends in Father to further negotiate with Coalhouse.
  • In the Library, Father sees Younger Brother and nearly faints. He negotiates with Coalhouse and Whitman puts out a search for Chief Conklin, who is brought to the brownstone in less than an hour.
  • Father brings the terms to the library. Conklin will restore the car in full view of everyone in the middle of the street. In exchange, the men will give up and have full rights and privileges under the law.
  • Coalhouse says he will surrender himself but that the gang must be given full passage and amnesty. The gang argues but Coalhouse says, since none of them are known by name, they can go back to normal lives. Younger Brother tells Coalhouse he's betrayed them.
  • Coalhouse understand that this means he will die, but he says he died the minute Sarah did. Father tells Whitman about Coalhouse's demands. Whitman drinks several whiskeys in response.
  • He says they'll tail the car with the gang in it, but Father says they'll have a hostage—himself.
  • Whitman agrees to Coalhouse's demands.