It is mid-August, and Matenge has returned to Golema Mmidi. The course of progress and the activities of strong-willed residents have broken Matenge’s control. Soon, though, a crisis far worse than Matenge’s wrath descends upon the village. After years of drought, cattle suddenly begin dropping dead, pitching the cattlemen of Botswana into confusion, and imperiling the wellbeing of villages such as Golema Mmidi. The cattlemen return to town to consult Dinorego, who is convinced that Gilbert may have a method to approach the new dilemma.

Alerted to the reappearance of the cattlemen, Paulina goes to meet them and sees that her son is not among them. She approaches Rankoane, a man whose cattle post is near her son’s, and asks if he has any information concerning her son’s whereabouts. Rankoane tells her he had ordered Isaac home—as he had done, but in a somewhat evasive and noncommittal manner. Rankoane had recognized the tuberculosis afflicting Isaac, yet had kept this diagnosis from the boy. The cattleman leaves Paulina, who remains in a panic. Makhaya comforts her and tells her that they will go together to retrieve her son the next day.

In the meantime, Gilbert has engaged the cattlemen in discussion.