Samuel Hamilton’s favorite daughter, Una, marries a photographer, moves to Oregon, and dies young. Her death ruins Samuel’s outlook on the world, and he becomes a sad old man. However, Samuel’s other children continue to flourish. George, Will, and Joe all have good jobs, and all Samuel’s daughters are either married or have their own business. Only Tom is listless in his professions, but his family nonetheless adores him. When his closest sister, Dessie, gets married and leaves the family, Tom is so heartbroken that he goes on a bender, and his father must bail him out of jail. Although the Hamiltons experience losses and gains, they remain a tight-knit and supportive family. By 1911, Samuel’s children have noticed how old he’s getting, physically and mentally. They suggest that he and Liza leave the farm and rotate among all the children’s homes, where they could be cared for and spend time with their grandchildren.

Samuel pays Adam a final visit before leaving his farm. Adam’s sons are now 11 years old, each with their own distinct looks and personalities. Samuel finds that Adam still thinks about Cathy and that he has let his valuable and fertile land go to waste.