It is a beautiful morning, and the Starretts and Shane eat a leisurely breakfast before the two men do their chores and go to town. After they ride off for Wright’s funeral, Bob mopes around the house, unable to settle into anything for long. Later Marian sees him standing and staring down the road and plays Parcheesi with him on the porch, squealing like a child whenever she makes a good play. After that, she brings out apples and books, reading aloud to her son until she has to hurry to fix dinner for the men.

It is almost like a holiday when Starrett and Shane come home as no one had worked all day and the adults are determined not to let the business with Fletcher ruin their day. Wright’s funeral was good. Grafton spoke and said some very nice things, Weir provided a very nice coffin, and another man is making a fine headstone without charge.

More than thirty people attended the service, and none of them had anything good to say about Fletcher. Shane tells Marian that many of those who came did so out of respect for Starrett, who also gave a fine speech. One day, Shane predicts, Starrett will be mayor.

Their mood changes when they hear horses turning into their yard. Shane does not move but tells Starrett that it has to be Fletcher. He has undoubtedly heard about the townspeople’s support for the homesteaders and knows he must act quickly. It is unlikely he will push anything here, but Starrett should be cautious. Starrett grabs his rifle and carries it barrel down as he opens the door and steps out onto the porch.

Fletcher and Wilson are followed by two other cowboys. Bob has not seen Fletcher for a year, and the once-handsome man now looks more dissolute and shrewd; he has a “kind of reckless determination” that Bob has never noticed before. Stark Wilson is rather citified but seems lean and fit. He sits comfortably in his saddle, but his guns are in sight and he seems “serene and deadly.” He displays confidence in himself as well as contempt for the homesteaders.

Fletcher is “smiling and affable,” certain he is playing a game he will win. He apologizes for Wright’s unfortunate and unnecessary death but says Wright should not have called Wilson a liar. Starrett agrees that Wright should not have spoken the truth. He tells Fletcher to say what he came for and then get off his land.

Fletcher speaks reasonably about needing more land for his cattle, and Starrett repeats that he is not interested in selling. Fletcher then offers Starrett one last deal: Starrett can become Fletcher’s foreman and Shane can become the driving-trail boss. Starrett can even “play around with that little herd” of his, but Fletcher wants Starrett to work for him.

The offer surprises Starrett, and with Shane’s approval, he speaks for both himself and Shane, asking Fletcher about all the other homesteaders. When Fletcher says they must go, Starrett does not hesitate. He rejects the offer, even after Fletcher offers him a thousand dollars for his farm.

Fletcher is furious and prepares to leave; he increases his offer to twelve hundred dollars and warns Starrett that it is better than what might happen if he insists on being stubborn. He has until tonight to decide and Fletcher will be waiting at Grafton’s to hear his answer.

Wilson does not immediately follow Fletcher. He leans down and sneers at Starrett before making a vague threat toward Marian. Starrett does not answer, but his hand tightens on his rifle. Shane...