Willie rehearses his lines for the Christmas play. George comes to collect him for carol rehearsals. Willie smiles at Tom, who is scowling at the organ, knowing that Tom is feeling nervous.

Tom plays the organ, and, initially, the choir doesn’t sing along, so taken with the sound of his playing. He admonishes them, and they sing “Hark the Herald.” Tom encourages them to sing with more enthusiasm and vigor, making them start again a number of times. They sing a few more carols, and then the choir packs up. Tom and Willie are left; Tom plays him a song he used to play for Rachel. Willie is deeply moved by the emotional tune.

Willie is pleased to be moved into Mrs. Hartridge’s class; she congratulates him in front of the class for his hard work. George is wearing a black armband; his brother, Michael, is missing and presumed dead.

Carrie stays back at lunch to talk to Mrs. Hartridge; she wants to take the exam for high school.

The children return to their classroom after lunch. They take geography and then botany. Willie feels overwhelmed, but he is proud when he scores an 8 out of 10 on a quiz on Treasure Island in England class.