Sick with pneumonia, Antonio remains in bed for several days after his fever breaks. He learns that his father went to the sheriff and accused Tenorio of murdering Narciso; the coroner, however, declared that Narciso's death was the result of an accident or was self-inflicted. Narciso is buried, and the townspeople, who say he died drunk, quickly forget about him.
Andrew visits the bedridden Antonio but does not stay long. Afterwards, Antonio asks Ultima if he talked about Andrew while he was sick with fever. She says that he didn't reveal Andrew's secret, and he is glad that she understands.
After Antonio recovers, he sits with Ultima and listens to stories about the old days in Las Pasturas. She talks of Narciso's youth and how he turned to drinking after he lost his young wife to diphtheria. She tells Antonio of the strong social bonds that used to tie people together in lifelong friendships, bonds that helped them survive life on the desolate plains.
Antonio begins to recite prayers in preparation for his catechism class in the spring, and Maria asks him to read the prayers to her in English even though she does not understand the language. She believes that Antonio needs to know both English and Spanish if he is to be successful as a priest.
One stormy morning before the end of Christmas vacation, León and Eugene are brought home by a police officer. They wrecked their car up near Anton Chico and had to burn it in order to stay warm. Afterwards, María prays to the Virgin, grateful for her sons' safety.
Next day, León, Eugene, and Andrew go into town to play billiards, and Gabriel drinks during most of the afternoon, happy to have his boys home again, but knowing they will leave in the spring, when he yearns most to go to the West Coast. Next morning, tending to the windmill, he realizes that the days when he and his sons could work together with pleasure are gone, and the next day, León, Eugene, and Andrew leave for Santa Fe. They didn't even wait until spring.
