The morning after the celebration, Mr. March awakens with a bad headache and full-body soreness. He starts shivering and a fever takes hold. At noon, Canning finds Mr. March still in bed and considers him to be “gravely ill” (158). The workers, along with Canning, band together to bring Mr. March back to good health. After two days of being violently ill, his fever breaks. Mr. March writes another letter to Marmee. For fear of worrying her, he doesn’t mention his illness. Rather, he says he has not been writing as often because of the mosquitos, which are drawn to the candlelight by which he pens his letters. He then provides detailed descriptions of the cotton blossoms’ beauty.

Canning returns from town in a worried state because he has learned that the Union is withdrawing its security presence from the area. He shares this news with Mr. March, who tries to reassure him that they will be safe, but Canning remains concerned that guerillas will raid the plantation. Ptolemy, a former slave (now Canning’s assistant) overhears the conversation and his face expresses worry. Though he is still weak, Mr. March is well enough to return to the classroom.