- Ancient Egypt is in fashion. The Boy studies the hieroglyphic alphabet, and imagines the black woman living in their attic to be a Nubian princess.
- A Negro man drives past the house in a fancy car. He tells the Boy he's looking for the woman in the attic: Sarah.
- The man comes to the back door and speaks to Mother, but Sarah will not see him. The man's name is Coalhouse Walker, and he begins to come every Sunday to call on Sarah.
- The family invites Coalhouse for tea. He tells them he is a musician. They invite him to play, and, after telling them the piano is badly out of tune, he plays "Wall Street Rag."
- He then plays "Maple Leaf Rag," also composed by Scott Joplin. Father asks Coalhouse if he knows any "c*** songs," which Coalhouse refuses to play based on the fact that they're offensive. He then leaves, still not having seen Sarah.
- Coalhouse continues to visit weekly, bringing gifts for Sarah and the child. Father is unsure about Coalhouse, since he doesn't "act or talk like a colored man." He doesn't "know his place," according to Father.
- After many weeks, Sarah decides to see Coalhouse. He arrives in his shiny automobile and takes her and the baby off for a drive. During the drive he proposes and she accepts.