- The next day, Mr. Hook is surprised to see Tom arrive driving with his horse and wagon since he usually walks. (Today's one of the days Polly Ann doesn't need the wagon; the other days, he'll walk as usual and meet Birdy to drive the rest of the way.)
- Tom explains (drum roll please) that he bought the Breen barn and that he and Birdy will start taking it down that evening.
- Tom puts in a full day at the mill, and then he and Birdy drive up to the barn. Once there, Tom doesn't see the point in starting so late in the day, but Birdy insists that they'll get as many shingles off the roof as they can before dark.
- Birdy tells Tom to go slow and steady (remember the saying about the tortoise?) until he gets the hang of the work and of being up on the roof. Birdy, on the other hand, moves like it ain't no thang (in fact, Tom likens him to a boar raccoon).
- They work until the light is completely gone. There's a tense moment when Tom can't find his ladder to get down (could the Flanchers have gotten it??), but he finds it and all is well.
- Tom arrives home totally wiped. But the task is begun. Pretty exciting, no?