Martha Ballard and Ephraim host a winter frolic at Ballard’s Mill, where young people dance under the watch of parents and chaperones. Martha is surprised to see Barnabas Lambard, a constable she knows for his fists, playing the fiddle with real skill. After Barnabas finishes, John Cowan takes over the music, and Barnabas deliberately chooses a slower tune as his chance to approach Dolly Ballard. Dolly accepts at once, and Martha sees plainly that Barnabas and Dolly are falling in love.

From the loft, Martha jokes with Abigail Pollard about how hard it is to watch courting children. Martha then rejoins Ephraim near the doors, and the two look out over the dancers, including Jonathan Ballard with Sally Pierce and Hannah Ballard staying close to Moses. Their talk turns to Cyrus Ballard and Sarah White. Martha admits she hoped Sarah would come so that Cyrus might have a chance to grow closer to her, but Ephraim warns that Martha cannot manufacture such a match because Sarah must choose it herself. When Sarah does not appear at the dance, Ephraim points to her absence as a choice of its own.

As the evening continues, Cyrus and Young Ephraim briefly turn the floor comic by shadow dancing before finding real partners. At the food table, Sam Dawin tells Martha that May Dawin came because she loves the music, and Martha gives practical advice for May’s early pregnancy sickness while keeping the pregnancy discreet. Martha then notices Sam and Jonathan in a serious, angry exchange that seems aimed at someone else, not each other, and sees them come to some silent agreement. When Jonathan turns back to watch both Hannah with Moses and Dolly with Barnabas, Martha is moved by his protective concern for his sisters.

At the end of the chapter, Cyrus approaches Martha, bows, and asks her to dance. The gesture overwhelms Martha with love and a fresh recognition that Cyrus is not diminished by the hardships others project onto him. While they dance, Martha apologizes that Sarah White did not come. Cyrus pretends not to mind, but Martha sees his disappointment, and when she looks up she also sees Ephraim’s heartbreak from the loft, because both parents ache for Cyrus to find the kind of love the other children now seem to be discovering.