Ratliff sees Will Varner for the first time since Eula’s wedding. He says that Will must have been desperate if he was willing to give up the Old Frenchman’s Place. Ratliff is sure that since Will held onto it for so long, there must be some value in it. Will tells Ratliff that one of the local farmers, Houston, is suing Mink Snopes over a horse Mink allows to wreak havoc on Houston’s land. As he and Will ride on to the Varners’ store, Ratliff thinks about what a waste it is for Flem to marry Eula, as her beauty and vibrancy will now be squandered on a man who sees her only as a means to cement his power. At the store, Jody is back in his original place, but a new Snopes is the clerk. The verdict is decided against Mink Snopes. A peep show at Mrs. Littlejohn’s barn begins, organized by Lump Snopes.

Ike Snopes, a cousin of Flem’s who has an intellectual disability, is looked after by Mrs. Littlejohn. He becomes fascinated by Houston’s cow. He sneaks into Houston’s field, hoping to ride and befriend the cow. Ike is driven off by Houston and begins to just lie in the grass listening to the cow.