# XV explained — The Walls of Jericho > Chapter companion for The Walls of Jericho by Rudolph Fisher. ## What happens Linda runs out of sugar and borrows from Mrs. Fuller, Fred Merrit's housekeeper, leading to a conversation where Mrs. Fuller offers Linda a job as her maid. Linda overhears Miss Cramp's racist discussion about Merrit moving in, and Mrs. Fuller encourages Linda to leave Miss Cramp's employment. Linda considers the offer, hoping to attend night school to learn typing. ## Themes in this chapter ### Identity and Self-Deception Miss Cramp's hypocrisy in wanting to 'uplift' African Americans while refusing to live near them as equals. ### Freedom and Entrapment Linda's desire to escape her current position and better herself, while facing limited options due to racial and social constraints. ## Character check-ins ### Linda Young Borrows sugar from Mrs. Fuller, learns of a job opportunity, and hopes to attend night school. ### Mrs. Arabella Fuller Fred Merrit's housekeeper, offers Linda a job, and shares gossip about Miss Cramp's prejudice. ### Miss Agatha Cramp Discussed with a friend her intention to move if Merrit moves in, revealing her racist views. ### Fred Merrit Mentioned as the employer who approves hiring Linda and is a generous man. ## Key lines > “Chile, I'm go'n' need a maid right hyeh. I done told Mr. Merrit already, and he say soon's he come in town it'd be all right.” Mrs. Fuller tells Linda she needs a maid and that Mr. Merrit has already agreed to hire one. _Mrs. Fuller offers Linda a job as her maid._ > “Do you think maybe I could go to night school sometimes and learn to run a typewriter?” Linda asks if she might attend night school to learn typing. _Linda expresses her ambition to improve her skills and move beyond domestic work._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xv - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters