Libertie struggles with the revelation that she does not want to become a doctor. She cannot tell her mother, as Cathy has always dreamed that her daughter would follow in her footsteps. She keeps the secret to herself while thinking about the woman who lured Ben Daisy to his death. Libertie begins to pay attention to the sounds of water. She also notices how Ben’s death has changed her mother. Cathy is not as assured or as optimistic as she once was, nor does she try to invent her own remedies. Neighbors no longer trust her and instead keep their distance. Hannah, Ben’s sister, blames Cathy for her brother’s death and claims that no unmarried woman can be trusted. Ben’s death continues to haunt Cathy and Libertie until the American Civil War begins in 1861.

Libertie and Cathy are initially confused about the war, but the reality of it arrives in their town after two years. Neighbors leave to join the war while people fleeing the violence pass by the house. One family flees a riot in a nearby town where white people react violently to the idea of fighting for the freedom of African Americans.