Ralph’s mother dies, causing him to leave Angela alone for a few weeks. In his absence, Stephen begs Angela to go on a vacation with her, but Angela refuses. Stephen tries to get out her angst riding horses, but it does no good. She visits Angela constantly, even though Angela “dread(s)” her visits. On the last day before Ralph gets home, Angela is nicer to Stephen than she has been in a while. At night she tells Stephen she has a headache and asks Stephen to leave. Stephen is worried about leaving her alone and ill, but upon Angela’s request she kisses her and departs.

At home, Stephen asks Puddle if Angela has called. When Puddle says no and begs Stephen to go to bed, Stephen refuses and waits up all night to hear from Angela. When dawn comes, she leaves the house in a hurry.

Stephen arrives at Angela’s house with the sunrise. She sees Roger and Angela exit the house and start to hug and kiss. She starts maniacally laughing and then leaves. She drives around aimlessly all day, finally returning to Morton that night. Puddle is worried and waiting for her. She tells Stephen she knows Angela is the cause of her misery and begs her to confide in her.