James returns after ten years in prison and immediately sparks a family confrontation. Their father demands James apologize to Mr. Grant and calls for a whip to correct habits picked up behind bars. A family member pleads for mercy, begs James to hide in the basement and admits, "I'm the reason he ended up in prison." James refuses to kneel, glares and mocks prison as anything to learn from, provoking his father. The father counts lashes and strikes; the blows don't break James' defiance. He ends by vowing to beat James today, leaving his fate unresolved.