A New Jerusalem

At Beecher's Hope, Uncle joins John as Charles returns from watching the area. Charles says the Skinner Brothers are unlikely to come back soon, leaving them free to begin work on the ranch house John has bought. The three set about assembling the pre-cut building. Uncle claims that his terminal lumbago prevents him from taking on the hard labour, so he stays nearby and directs John and Charles instead.

Over the following weeks, John and Charles build the house piece by piece. They lay out the foundation, set and hammer the joists, lift the frame into place and finish the roof with its tiles. Uncle remains on hand with encouragement and instructions while the two men carry out the construction. When the work is complete, John, Charles and Uncle stand before the finished home at Beecher's Hope and raise a toast.

Later, John sits inside the new house and writes to Abigail. He tells her that Charles and Uncle have returned to his life and helped him buy the land and put up the house. John admits he has done something foolish in the hope of winning her back, insists that he is trying to leave his old life behind, and says that he misses Abigail and Jack. A few days pass at Beecher's Hope.