Describe Kumalo’s initial physical reaction when the white reformatory worker comes to apologize. Why does Kumalo behave this way? What effect does it have on the white reformer?

Even though the white man has upset and hurt Kumalo, because he is black, Kumalo must still act in deference to the white man. He keeps his eyes on the ground and remains standing as signs of humility and respect. Kumalo’s self-debasing behavior makes the white reformatory worker feel even worse about his own behavior; he knows he mistreated Kumalo by refusing to help him get a lawyer, and watching the older man demean himself only further emphasizes the injustice of the white man’s anger toward Kumalo.