In the summer of 1924, Archer Sloane is found dead in his office of heart failure, which Stoner believes was motivated by Archer’s loss of will to live. Finch hires a new chair of the English Department to replace Sloane. He hires a Harvard graduate named Hollis Lomax. Hollis treats his colleagues with ironic politeness and doesn’t accept any invitations to parties or other social gatherings. He doesn’t fit in with the professors’ culture at University of Missouri but is popular with students. Despite Hollis’s arrogance, he reminds Stoner of Dave Masters. Stoner is sad to realize he doesn’t have the social courage to make a friendship with Hollis the way he did with Masters. Stoner’s book is accepted for publication, which earns him a promotion with permanent tenure.

Edith gets a loan from her father to buy a house. Stoner is stressed about buying a house because even if they can purchase a house, he won’t be able to afford the upkeep or the taxes. Edith insists on getting the house so they can have more space as a family. They buy a house and work together to renovate it.