This chapter enumerates the problems facing priests. The ancient prejudice among the Indians of Santo Domingo stems from Spanish injustice. Vaillant's purchase of a feeble horse derives from the unscrupulous business practices of the Yankee trader. Cather balances these problems with the character of Manuelito Lujon, a rancher who allows himself to be tricked into donating both of his prized mules to Vaillant.
The women servants on the Lujon ranch wonder to each other what good Vaillant's performances of marriages will have on the ranch. They remark that the men and women have been together for a long time and have produced children together without the benefit of marriage. They also comment that some of the men have become adulterous with the younger, unattached women. Their conversation is interrupted by the appearance of Vaillant, who performs the marriages and announces that he will baptize the children the following day. This leaves the reader to believe that the sinful behavior of adults living together out of wedlock, as well as the adulterous behavior, are the result of Original Sin, which is absolved through the sacrament of baptism.
Once again, the appearance of Vaillant is depicted as unattractive. The Mexican women think his ugliness is proportionate to his holiness, and that he must be very holy. Vaillant is depicted also as clever in his manipulations of Lujon to receive both mules.
