What bad news does Mr. Morrison bring to the Logans? Why has the bank done this? Do you think such a thing could happen today?

At home, Mr. Morrison returns from Strawberry with an envelope and meets Papa in the barn where he is repairing a harness. The bank has called in the note on the land, even though they have four more years left to pay. Clearly the bank is trying to put Papa out of business: perhaps punish him for taking on the Wallaces. Papa is angry and wants to ride to Strawberry immediately, but Mama persuades him to wait till morning, since the bank won't even be open and he will be putting himself in danger. Big Ma worries about what they will do if Hammer cannot get the money, and Papa promises they won't lose the land.