Thatcher and his household recount the events of the past day over dinner—the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, came to visit Vineland’s school. Earlier that day, Rose, newly pregnant, had a miscarriage, but she insisted on attending the event nonetheless. Thatcher tries to discuss needed repairs to the house, but Rose and her mother again dismiss his concerns, believing that Rose’s father must have made good construction decisions.

At school shortly thereafter, Thatcher is interrupted during one of his lectures by the principal, who believes that science must give way to religious thought and is suspicious of any ideas he deems sacrilegious. Shortly afterward, Thatcher makes up an excuse to go visit Mary and talk to her about his professional difficulties. They note that Thatcher’s classes are made up mostly of girls—with labor demands in the growing town so high, teenage boys are generally taken out of school early to work. Mary tells him that she has embarrassed herself with a colleague who collaborates with her on the scientific articles she writes to support herself. She also collects botanical specimens for money. Mary is sympathetic to Thatcher’s plight with his principal, and a friendship begins to form between them.