The following spring, Latour and Jacinto go to the Painted Desert and the Hopi villages. The bishop then heads south to visit the Navajo Eusabio. Eusabio calls Latour “friend,” and offers him a quiet Hogan where he can reflect and watch the river. Latour meditates for three days in an attempt to decide whether he should bring Vaillant back from Arizona for his companionship.
Latour recalls how he met Vaillant. They had come from neighboring parishes but had not met until entering Seminary. Latour had noticed Vaillant, an ugly boy who had much personality. After a short conversation, Latour takes it upon himself to befriend and protect Vaillant. The cool, critical, sometimes depressed Latour needs the lively, vivacious, charming-but-ugly Vaillant.
