What news does Mrs. Arnold convey to Ruth? What did Walter do during those three days?

Mrs. Arnold tells Ruth that Walter hasn't been at work for three days, and that if he doesn't show up.... he will be fired. Walter explains his actions as follows;

Well Wednesday I borrowed Willy Harris' car and I went for a drive . . . just me and myself and I drove and drove . . . Way out . . . way past South Chicago, and I parked the car and I sat and looked at the steel mills all day long. I just sat in the car and looked at them big black chimneys for hours. Then I drove back and I went to the Green Hat. (Pause) And Thursday, Thursday I borrowed the car again and I got in it and I pointed it the other way and I drove the other way for hours way, way up to Wisconsin, and I looked at the farms. I just drove and looked at the farms. Then I drove back and I went to the Green Hat. (Pause) And today today I didn't get the car. Today I just walked. All over the South-side. And I looked at the Negroes and they looked at me and finally I just sat down on the curb at Thirty-ninth and South Parkway and I just sat there and watched the Negroes go by.