Last Updated on May 5, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 119

Rosicky is worried about his son Rudolph, who rents a farm not too far from Rosicky’s. Rudolph has recently married Polly, a woman from town whom the Rosickys describe as ‘‘American,’’ meaning her parents are not recent immigrants. Polly has found the transition from being a single woman living in town to married life on a farm difficult. Because Rosicky is afraid that Polly’s unhappiness will prompt Rudy to abandon the farm for a job in the city, Rosicky decides to loan his son the family car, suggesting that he and Polly go into town that evening. The section ends when, on his way home, Rosicky stops to look at ‘‘the sleeping fields’’ and ‘‘the noble darkness.’’