Tom takes Willie to see the fields he has planted with vegetables. Zach arrives, asking Willie to play. George arrives to invite Willie on a picnic with him and the twins, Carrie and Ginny; Zach asks if he can come, and George reluctantly agrees (he thinks that Zach is strange). They all meet up; the twins are grumpy that the two evacuees, Willie and Zach, have been included.

They pick blackberries for a few hours and then have their picnic. Will is amazed at the deliciousness of chocolate cake. The children all discuss what they like to do; Willie can’t think of anything and dreads when it is his turn to say something until he remembers that he likes to draw.

Willie and Tom make jam with the blackberries.

Willie goes to school. Tom packs him a lunch and walks him to where he is meeting Zach. George joins them and is amazed at how crowded their usually small school now is with all the evacuees. The older children are sent with Mr. Black. Mrs. Hartridge takes the 8- to 11-year-olds but sends Willie to learn with the younger children because he can’t read or write.