Polly and James have lunch; he’s concerned that his brother Knox, who stops in to assist Polly weekly, is taking advantage of her by allowing her to pay some of his living costs. Polly still misses Dick, but her grieving has ended. She has set about organizing his papers and continues to write to Robert.

One day, she receives a letter from Robert in which he informs her of his imminent release from prison: A judge has granted him time served. Polly wonders if Agnes knows, still not having spoken to her since their fight in September. Polly worries that Robert’s freedom will end their correspondence. Knowing that he has had to sell his home and that finding employment will be difficult for Robert, Polly considers inviting Robert to live at Meadowlea. She decides to do so.

Robert consents to live not at Meadowlea but in a smaller cottage on the property known as the Rookerie. In exchange, he’ll make repairs. Polly picks him up from the SuperMax, they share breakfast, and then she drops him off at his new home.