Tom is beginning to grasp the preacher's idea that people must stand together. He realizes that each person doesn't have their own soul, but rather is a piece of a great big soul that includes everyone, and "his little piece of a soul wasn't so good 'less it was with the rest, an' was whole." He doesn't completely understand this philosophy, "it's jus' stuff [he's] been thinking about." Ma begs him to find the family later on, but Tom tells her that if Casy's theory is true, she'll find him in every human action around her: "Wherever there's a fight so hungry people can eat, [he'll] be there." He wants to continue the work that Casy had begun. When Ma expresses her worry that they will kill him like the preacher, Tom replies, "He didn't duck fast enough."
Returning to the boxcar, the Wainwrights approach Ma and Pa with concerns about Al and their sixteen-year-old daughter, Aggie, spending time together. Ma and Pa agree to speak with Al. Once the Wainwrights leave, Pa confides to Ma that he feels like life is over and done. Ma reassures him that they will keep on going. Aggie and Al return from a walk to announce they want to get married and live on their own. Ma begs them to stay until spring, and the families celebrate.
The next morning, both families leave for the cotton fields before dawn, knowing that this will be the end of the work for the season. When they arrive, people are already in line. With so many people, the fields are picked by 11:00 a.m. As they return home, the rains begin, and Rosasharn takes a chill.
