Jeffrey and Charlie talk about the New Year’s fireworks at the Miners’ Hall. Charlie is afraid that he will tell Eliza what he knows about Laura in a moment of weakness because sharing what he knows would help alleviate the misery he feels over keeping his terrible secret. He knows that such a confession would only get Jasper sent to jail, however. One day, Charlie’s father tells him that he has been writing a book and wants Charlie to be the first one to read it. Charlie is secretly upset because he feels as though his father has stolen his own dream to become a writer. Jasper comes to the window and asks Charlie to come with him to confront Lionel. As the two boys head toward Lionel’s house, Charlie encounters Eliza, who is desperate to talk to him. He promises to come back and see her later. When the two boys encounter Lionel, the old man is excited to see Jasper and invites the boys in. When Jasper confronts Lionel about Laura, it is clear that the old man does not even know that Laura is dead.

Lionel shows the boys old pictures featuring Jasper and his parents, Rosie and David.