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.
