The next morning, Tom tells the family what he has done. Knowing he would be recognized because of his broken nose, he stays in the house with Rosasharn while the rest of the Joads work. With Casy's death, the strike is broken, and the wage has been dropped to two-and-a-half cents a box. The family returns from their day of work with only $1.42. Winfield collapses because of dysentery he got from eating peaches. Pa tells Tom that he is being hunted, and there is talk of lynching. Tom wants to leave, but Ma won't let him. Once dark falls, they hide Tom in the truck and leave the ranch.
Al turns the truck north, keeping to the back roads to avoid any cops. They pass a row of boxcars and a sign that says, "Cotton Pickers Needed." The family agrees to get work picking cotton and hopefully, stay in one of the boxcars. Tom will hide down by the stream, near enough that Ma can bring him food each night. He'll remain there until his face heals.
