Now that time has passed since Maurice’s death, fewer people stop Nora in the street “to express sympathy” (152). This makes life in the small town more manageable. Occasionally, however, she still feels people looking at her at Sunday Mass. One day, one of Maurice’s former colleagues complains about Donal’s “impertinent” behavior in school. Nora is angry at herself for the meekness of her cold reply. Although she is shocked that Donal might not be performing well in school, she notices a heaviness about him and begins to worry. When Fiona is out at a dance, Nora privately mentions the comments to Donal, who speaks about the teacher in scathing terms. Nora thinks about her son; she does not mention to him that he never shows her any of the photographs he takes.

Nora attends only one union meeting. Nonetheless, she grows fond of Mick Sinnott. The union makes little difference, and in the following months, the Gibneys make a concerted effort to quietly reduce staff numbers at the company. Elizabeth gradually recovers her good humor, but her brother, Thomas, never speaks to Nora again.