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.
