Double Strike Woman worries about Running Fisher, who has moved out of the lodge and become sullen and withdrawn. As Rides-at-the-door’s other two wives eat and joke with their friends, Kills-close-to-the-lake thinks about how Running Fisher, her husband’s son, recently forced himself upon her. Since then, she has become infatuated with him. She goes outside to find him in his tipi. Striped Face, Rides-at-the-door’s second wife, follows Kills-close-to-the-lake and sees and overhears her having sex with Running Fisher. Striped Face is pleased to have this knowledge over Kills-close-to-the-lake and Running Fisher.

Fools Crow comes across the ranch where Fast Horse and Owl Child’s men killed the Napikwan and terrorized his wife and children. In the Lone Eaters camp, Yellow Kidney watches Good Young Man and One Spot and thinks about how he has become a shadow of a man since his return. He feels old and no longer desires his wife or wishes to raise his sons. He believes they will be happier without him and resolves to return to the Spotted Horse camp where he once lay dying.