Tom and Casy see that the Joad house has been pushed off its foundations. They check to see whether a note has been left for Tom, but only find clear evidence that the house has been deserted. The house has not been rummaged or looted, an indication that something is wrong throughout the neighborhood. With the family gone, Tom unwraps the turtle and puts him on the ground. The turtle continues in the same direction he was going when Tom picked him up.
Tom recognizes his neighbor, Muley Graves, approaching. Muley tells "Tommy" that the family has been tractored off their land. They are temporarily staying with Uncle John until they can earn enough money to go to California. Tom and Casy learn that Muley's family has already left for California, but he was emotionally unable to leave the land where he had grown up. Casy admonishes Muley for breaking up the family.
Muley shares his supper of cooked rabbit, while telling them how out of touch he's become from living alone. Listening to Muley helps Casy recognize his calling: he needs to go out on the road to give comfort to these dispossessed people. Tom, meanwhile, realizes that he will be breaking his parole if he leaves the state with his family.
An approaching car's headlights illuminate the field, and the three men hide at Muley's warning that they would now be considered trespassers. Muley takes Tom and Casy to a small cave to hide for the night, but Tom chooses to sleep outdoors. They plan to move on to Uncle John's in the morning.
