Edgar works hard on the farm, developing tools to process the oats and improve the house. He and his mother talk about Sungifu, Cwenburg, and whether Ma will remarry. She says no, because she can never find someone like Pa. Edgar worries about her; she has lost some of her strength and liveliness.

Brindle barks, alerting Ma and Edgar that Erman and Eadbald are fighting. When they arrive, they find Cwenburg naked. Cwenburg says she loves them both and has been lying with them sexually since they arrived. Ma takes them to talk to Cwenburg’s parents. She tells Dreng that he can hire Edgar when Cwenburg leaves after she marries Eadblad and Erman. Degbert agrees to the arrangement. Ma asks Cwenburg several questions, revealing that she knows Cwenburg is already pregnant. Cwenburg agrees to marry the two brothers the following day. Then Dreng agrees to hire Edgar for a farthing per day.

Ragna gets her period, which is a relief. Although she is infatuated with Wilf, she does not want to have a baby without being married. Guillaume arrives and is infatuated with her. He is handsome, but he courts her clumsily and is less masculine than Wilf.