Content Warning: The source material contains child death, extreme violence towards women, detailed descriptions of traumatic births, symptoms from severe illness, and painful death.

The narrative flashes back to the spring of 1665 after Sam Frith’s death, when Anna was 18. It begins with a note of foreboding, comparing the coming of George Viccars from London to that of the devil. The tailor, Alexander Hadfield, hires Mr. Viccars as an assistant. At Mr. Mompellion's suggestion, Mr. Viccars asks Anna if he may lodge in her attic. At first, Anna is reluctant to take in a male boarder, fearing judgment from her Puritanical villagers, but since Sam’s death, Anna has struggled to make ends meet. Though her sheep bring a profit, she can only work half days in the rectory and Bradford Hall since her sons Jamie and Tom are still young. She accepts, and soon, Mr. Viccars becomes a lively part of their household with his many stories of his travels; Anna enjoys sitting with him in the evenings as he sews.

Mr. Viccars is young, and the boys enjoy his playful nature. Though Sam loved his sons intensely, he knew nothing of life outside the mines and depended on Anna to keep him abreast of town news.