The Marrow of Tradition

On his train from Philadelphia to Wellington, Dr. Burns runs into his protégé, Dr. Miller. Dr. Miller has studied in Europe and published articles on his surgeries; he is widely respected in the field. When they are shooed from the sleeper car to the day car, Dr. Burns invites Dr. Miller to sit with him. While Dr. Miller knows the day cars are segregated, he hopes they will be allowed to remain together—but upon learning via McBane that Dr. Miller is not Dr. Burns’s servant, the conductor forces Dr. Miller to the Black car despite his friends’ protests. Dr. Burns offers to join him, but he is told that segregation is enforced both ways. However, McBane joins Dr. Miller in the dusty, shoddy car for long enough to smoke an entire cigar. Dr. Miller is incredibly annoyed by the man, whom he knows from Wellington. Dr. Miller ponders his personal philosophy, noting that Black Americans have been through much, and “the ability to […] thrive under adverse circumstances is the surest guaranty of the future” (39).

Dr. Miller returns home and tells Janet that he will assist with Dodie’s surgery. While he has never attended a white patient in Wellington, he views racial antagonism as “a mere temporary thing” and believes that Dr. Burns and Dr. Price’s approval of his presence at Dodie’s surgery will aid his position in the town’s eyes (42). Meanwhile, Janet thinks of her half sister. She has for all her life craved a glimmer of recognition from Olivia: With it, she would have “worshipped this sister […] afar off” (43). She grieves that this never happened and urges her husband to be very careful.

Dr. Price is concerned that the Carterets will object to Dr. Miller’s presence, but Dr. Burns assures him that he “misjudge[s] […] his people” (45). Dr. Miller is late, so Major Carteret and Dr. Burns have a debate before his arrival. Dr. Burns insists that this is a matter of principle and not color: He must be in control of the operation room, and that includes having his favored pupil present. Finally, Major Carteret begs that Dr. Miller be excluded for personal reasons. Dr. Burns agrees. Dr. Price volunteers to break the news to Dr. Miller upon his arrival but finds his nerves lacking, so he instead tells him that the operation began early. As Dr. Miller departs, a servant, Sam, tells him the truth. He returns home to tell Janet, who understands the major’s reasons for excluding her husband. Ultimately, there is no need for an operation: Dr. Burns enters the room and pats the baby’s shoulder blades, expelling the object.