Robert wakes in the infirmary after Warden Haddock’s whipping, barely able to move through the pain in his back and ear. A Dragnet episode on the radio briefly distracts him, but it also makes him think about how false fair justice sounds compared with the violence Negro people face in real life. While he lies awake, Robert sees a floating ghost boy above his bed, senses that the child died of pneumonia, and quietly tells the dead boy he can stay as long as he does not touch him.

Later, Redbone is up and talking, though he is also badly hurt. An old infirmary nurse gives Robert aspirin, tells both boys they will stay in the infirmary only for the day, and announces that after the Funhouse they will be taken off kitchen duty and sent to the fields for at least a month. Robert is crushed because kitchen work had been his one relief at Gracetown. When Robert asks if Redbone is really his friend, Redbone says surviving the Funhouse together has made them friends, and the two begin playing cards between the nurse’s rounds.

The infirmary becomes a temporary refuge. Redbone tells stories from his life, and Robert asks about the haints he keeps seeing. Redbone admits the ghosts do not bother him much, says some people draw them like magnets, and warns Robert to worry about staying alive instead of solving the dead boys’ murders. During this lull, a new woman arrives by mistake, then returns pushing a cart of instruments and introduces herself as Mrs. Marian Crutcher Hamilton, the reformatory’s new band director and Mr. Crutcher’s sister.

Mrs. Hamilton asks which boys are old enough for band, learns Robert knows piano scales, and lets him try a trumpet. Robert cannot make a sound at first, but after she adjusts his mouth and hands, he produces a clear high C on his second try. Mrs. Hamilton calls Robert a natural, compares his gift to Louis Armstrong’s early talent, recruits both Robert and Redbone for band practice, and says music can give the boys pride and something to carry beyond Gracetown. Her confidence gives Robert a rare feeling of hope, even though Redbone distrusts her and warns that no one stays nice.

That evening the nurse sends Robert and Redbone back to Lincoln barefoot. Crossing the grounds, Robert studies the open space, the fences, Haddock’s lit office, and especially the kennels full of dogs that would hunt runaways. After Robert carelessly asks about the dogs, Redbone furiously warns him never again to talk about escape or mention Blue to Boone, then has him lie about already bathing so they can avoid the painful showers. Back at the dorm, Robert finds Papa’s boots still in his locker, now set out carefully with a piece of sweet cornbread hidden inside. Blue has left it for him, apologizes, and then darkly challenges Robert to ask what Blue really knows about the reformatory before disappearing again.