When the children wake the next morning, they prepare for special morning summer school, organized for evacuees. Edmund volunteers to write a postcard to Miss Collins and update her on their billet.

Mrs. Forrester tells the three that the twins will give them a tour of town on the way to the village school. Predictably, the moment they leave the house, Jack and Simon sprint away and ditch the Pearce siblings. The three find their own way to school, noting Mr. Forrester’s butcher shop and a lending library.

They are put in Mrs. Warren’s class. In the same class are Hugh, an uncared-for looking boy Edmund gave chocolate to the day before; Alfie, a heavyset boy; and Frances, an outspoken girl who seems to have a crush on William. The children are all glad for the normalcy class brings.

After lunch, Mrs. Forrester comes to fetch the children, asking if they would like to accompany her on her errands. Edmund, thinking quickly, fibs and says their teacher gave them a reading assignment. He asks if they can visit the lending library while she shops for groceries. She is amused at the idea of people reading but agrees.