Part 3: Winter Summary

In November, the Jordans invite everyone to Sunday Island for a corn-shelling bee. The talk of the area has been about the china tea cups Ethan Jordan brought back for Abby Welles, suggesting that Ethan is the top runner for her hand in marriage. Ira Sargent is depressed over this idea and spends much of the day in a dark mood. At the corn-shelling bee, it is said the person who finds the red ear of corn will be the first to marry. Marguerite finds the red ear behind a wooden trough where it must have fallen. Marguerite sneaks it to Ira, making everyone think he was the one to find it. This lifts Ira's mood.

After all the corn is shelled, Seth Jordan gets out his violin and everyone begins to dance. After a group dance, Aunt Hepsa dances to...