After leaving the burned out squatter's camp, the Joads go to a government camp where community-elected officials make camp decisions, create laws, and hand out punishments. The next morning, the Joads' new neighbors, Timothy and Wilkie Wallace, invite Tom to work with them. The owner for whom they are working tells them he must lower their wage, or the bank will not renew his crop loan. He also warns the men that the Farmers Association will cause a fight at the government camp dance so that there will be a reason for deputies to close the camp.
The manager of the camp welcomes them, and at first Ma is suspicious. He is kind and respectful, though, and Ma relaxes with the realization that she is among her kind of people again. The men leave to look for work, while Ma and Rosasharn clean up in preparation for the Ladies' Committee visit. While Ma is washing up, an older woman from the camp, a religious fanatic, tells Rose of Sharon that sinful things are happening in camp, including dances and plays. She warns the girl that two other young women have lost their babies because of their sinful behavior. Rosasharn panics, but Ma reassures her. When the Ladies' Committee arrives at the Joad tent, they explain to Ma the rules of the camp and the workings of Sanitary Unit Number Four. The Joad men return unsuccessful in their search for work. Ma tells Pa that now that the family has stopped moving, she has time to remember the sad things, such as Granpa's death and Noah's leaving. She and Pa reminisce about Oklahoma, but stop themselves when they remember that it is no longer their home.
