Latour and Vaillant sit down to a Christmas dinner. Father Joseph Vaillant is introduced as a physically unattractive man. Cather states that "the Lord had made few uglier men." He is short and thin, and is bow-legged from horseback riding. His hair is the color of dried hay, but he was formerly tow-colored, which is why his Seminary nickname was "Blanchet" ("Whitey").
Despite his appearance, Father Joseph is resourceful and energetic. He has paved the way for Latour's ministry in Santa Fe because the population there was won over by Joseph through his persistence and the "driving power of a dozen men in his poorly-built body."
Vaillant remarks that he had become too comfortable in Ohio, but he begs Latour to promise him that Latour won't send him farther. Latour remarks that he doesn't know how far the diocese extends, and that he'll ask Kit Carson to explain it to him. He assures Vaillant that there is plenty of work to accomplish in Santa Fe.
The two men hear horses galloping and gunshots outside. Latour is alarmed but is reassured by Vaillant that it is customary for cowboys to get the Pueblo Indians drunk on holidays. In their intoxicated states, they go to the fort to serenade the soldiers.
