In the Sun: A Harbinger
- A week has gone by without any sign of Bathsheba coming home. Finally, a note arrives saying that she'll be in Bath for another week.
- While she's gone, the farm is hit with a bad drought.
- While everyone is in the field, Gabriel Oak's young helper Cainy Ball comes running up to them. Gabriel explains to the group that Cainy has been spending some time in Bath lately.
- After some annoying delays due to Cainy's coughing, the kid tells everyone that he saw Bathsheba in Bath walking arm in arm with Sergeant Troy.
- Seeing that the news has upset Gabriel, Jan Coggan comes over and tells him not to worry about it. After all, what does it matter who Bathsheba ends up with, since Oak can never have her? Gee, thanks Jan.