- The next day at the mill, Tom asks Ox and the Moucheauds to help at the barn-raising on September 16. They're happy to come, and the Moucheauds reassure Tom that they can bring several lumberjacks with them. These are dudes who will do any manual labor as long as there's plenty of food.
- Nice.
- Turns out a barn-raising is a downright exciting affair. By the end of the day Mr. Hook has caught wind of it. He figures the best way he can help is to help Polly Ann get enough food for the men and the crowd.
- Tom still doesn't see the big deal. Mr. Hook explains that barn-raisings don't happen often and that people like the thrill of seeing something that could either go impressively well or cause an unexpected accident.
- Hang on folks: time for more barn-building lessons from Birdy: how to assemble bents.
- Moving on. Polly Ann and the girls are planning the food, though Polly Ann is both overwhelmed and "appalled" that so many people will turn up expecting free food.
- Mr. Hook comes down a couple of times to help her, and he brings Mrs. Conroy, his housekeeper, to assist.
- Mrs. Conroy takes an immediate liking to Polly Ann. She says they'll need to get help from some other women as well to bake enough pies in town. Polly Ann worries about paying for it all, but Mrs. Conroy says Mr. Hook will gladly help.
- Polly Ann worries about ever being able to pay him back.
- We think it'll pan out okay.