Erasmus summons Wash and Big Kit to wait at the master’s table. Wash and Big Kit are frightened and confused that Erasmus has summoned field slaves to do work inside the house. Wash and Big Kit wait at the door, unsure of what to do, and meet Gaius the porter, an educated slave with a graceful and reserved bearing, whom Wash thinks of as “a kind of surrogate master, a man with the speech and breeding of a white man” (15). Gaius gives Wash and Big Kit a clean handkerchief to wipe their dirty feet with, and he leads them into the house.

Wash is in awe of the finery of the house, as well as the taxidermy and other strange possessions. Big Kit, usually a large, intimidating presence, seems smaller and more afraid. Gaius leads the two slaves into the kitchen where the cook Maria is at work on a feast. Wash and Big Kit proceed to serve the master, with Big Kit nervous and Wash afraid but curious.

Erasmus is having dinner with his younger brother Titch. The two men discuss scientific topics, including the prospect of a hot air balloon. The brothers bicker and offend one another, particularly about the topic of slavery, with Erasmus advocating a less merciful approach than Titch.