After a delivery and polite offers of help, neighbors press Mrs. Gilbert to accept a card tied to Mr. Gilbert’s past favors. The mood cracks when someone accuses Mr. Gilbert of taking bribe money from the Collins family and leaving debts; Mrs. Gilbert and another speaker insist her father was honest. Joanna blurts out and storms off. Dexter is told to go after her while family members try to calm things, insisting she didn't mean it. The argument escalates into public accusation and flight, and Joanna refuses to come back, leaving the family to face the claim.