Fiela begins her two-day walk to Knysna. She is angry with God and with the Laghaans, neighbors who she believes must have informed the government about Benjamin. She is also fearful about Selling’s past which she believes might work against them. Selling once committed a murder. During the early days of their marriage, they had found they were missing a sheep he had intended to slaughter for Christmas dinner. When he went looking for it, he found two of the Laghaans skinning a sheep and claiming it was theirs. He stabbed one of them, killing him. Selling was given a life sentence for his crime.

Later, Fiela learned Selling was working on a road crew. Determined to go see him, she walked, carrying her baby. She was able to hide in the bushes and see Selling working. For years, she managed to smuggle food and notes to him, telling him about the new child, but not telling him that the child is white. When the road was finally done, she despaired, thinking Selling would go back to prison far away, but one day she saw him walking up the path to their home. He had been granted a reprieve. His health was gone, but he was free.