Ivy’s father, Victor, explains the whereabouts of the property owners, the Yamamoto family. They are confined to an internment camp, and the Lopez family will look after the land when they are gone. In return, they receive a salary, and will be given the deed to the house upon Mr. Yamamoto’s return. His son, Kenneth, a U.S. Marine, will sign the papers after observing the Lopez’s quality of care. Ivy asks why the Yamamotos are enemies if their son is a Marine and learns that Mr. Yamamoto fought for the U.S. in World War One. In addition, she learns that Mr. Ward has bought the property of several Japanese families already. A slur, “Japs! Yellow Enemies!” is painted on the Yamamoto house (419). Ivy imagines the house restored to its former glory, with the two Yamamoto sisters, who could have been her friends, inside.

Ivy and her mother go to the picturesque Ward house. There, Susan encourages her to join the school orchestra, and to play the flute. Susan mentions her brothers; later, Ivy’s mother informs her that while one, Tom, is in the army, the gold flag outside the Ward’s house announces that the other, Donald, has died in action.