- Billy-Bob wants Tom to go back to his office to discuss some things, but Tom says he has to get back to work at the mill and that he will stop by after work. How could he think about the mill at a time like this?!
- Billy-Bob urges him not to tell anyone except for Polly Ann about the amount of money.
- At the mill, it's normal and busy day, though Tom has a lot of other things to think about. There's his new money and his worry about the Flanchers, for example.
- Turns out the Flanchers did stop by the Dolans' house the night before. Creepers.
- Cissie-Mae told them that Tom took Polly Ann to the doctor, just as she was supposed to. Tom figures they went to the doctor's, found he was out on a birthing case, and then drove to the Breen place.
- Tom knows they can't get the money in the bank, but he remembers stories about them taking revenge on people by burning down their barns and beating them up. The Flanchers aren't nice dudes.
- Joe Hemphill comes into the mill to get an order filled and shares the news that there's trouble at the Breen place. A neighbor reported to Parker Munsey that the Flanchers ran him off the road on their way to the Breen place. Parker got mad, and he and two farmhands confronted the Flanchers.
- The details aren't all clear, but it sounds like there was a fight because both Parker Munsey and one of the Flanchers went to the doctor with injuries.
- The Sheriff is out of town for the day, but when he returns, he's set to arrest the Flanchers for trespassing and assault.
- Mr. Hook notes that even if the Sheriff can't find the Flanchers to arrest them, they won't be causing trouble anytime soon because they won't want anyone to be able to find them. That eases Tom's mind.
- After work, Tom goes to see Billy-Bob, who asks Tom about his plans for the money. Because Billy-Bob has helped Tom so much, he tells him of plans to buy shingles, siding, and a cement floor for the barn, clothes for his mother and sisters, heifers from Mr. Massey, and eventually machinery for his farm.
- Billy-Bob says it's quite a wish list. Tom figures everything on it will cost about $3,000.
- Billy-Bob says he hopes Tom doesn't plan to spend that all at once, and he also notes that Tom seems to have left some expenses out. Tom thinks Billy-Bob is referring to the lawyer's fee, but Billy-Bob says he was happy to help. Billy-Bob was thinking of Birdy.
- Tom realizes he's taken Birdy for granted. Billy-Bob agrees to meet Tom at the bank during lunch the next day to set up a savings account with $500 in it for Birdy.
- Tom figures Birdy won't take the money if Tom just offers it, so this is a way to make sure he's still provided for.