The play is a huge success, and everyone is amazed at Jamie's transformative beauty. When, after the closing curtain, Jamie thanks Landon for his part in the play, he feels a pang of sadness at not being able to walk her home that night.
By the following Monday, however, Jamie is back to her old self and so are her classmates' attitudes toward her. Landon busies himself with schoolwork and college applications that, combined with some lingering guilt over his harsh words toward Jamie, keep Landon from reaching out to Jamie. However, Jamie asks for Landon's help in collecting the 60 cans and jars she has placed around town to collect change that she intends to use to buy Christmas presents for the orphans. Landon agrees to help.
Three days later, when Landon sees that only $55.73 has been collected — a paltry sum even in 1958 — he empties his bank account and, without telling Jamie what he has done, brings nearly $250 to Jamie. She insists on taking Landon with her to the orphanage to deliver the gifts she buys with the money, and he is touched by what he witnesses there: a spectacular tree; presents for each child; and clean, well-behaved children. Because Jamie and Landon arrive separately that day, when he finally sees her, reading to the children, again he is stuck by how beautiful she looks. Landon describes the evening as the best Christmas Eve he's ever experienced.
When Landon and Jamie exchange gifts, he gives her a new sweater, and she gives him her Bible. Landon is deeply touched by her gift; reflecting to himself on the times they have spent together, he realizes he has fallen in love with Jamie.
