- Bright and early the next morning, they get ready to head off to the Ganges.
- Koly says goodbye to Chandra and wishes for a moment that she could stay behind with her new sister—they'd have so much more fun without Mrs. Mehta breathing chores down their necks all morning.
- Chandra asks Koly to put a garland of marigolds on Hari for her if he doesn't make it.
- Hari is carried out to the wagon and fanned on the train, but he still gets really weak from the journey.
- When they arrive in Varanasi in the afternoon, Mr. Mehta's colleague Mr. Lal and his family invite them to stay.
- Everyone is anxious to get Hari to the Ganges, but he's too weak to go on, so instead they give him some of the water to drink.
- Koly watches closely as he chugs the water, expecting a miracle to happen. The only thing that happens, however, is that Hari begins coughing more violently than before. He's sent to bed to rest.
- The next morning, they head off to the Ganges and let Hari walk in it. Koly takes a dip, too.
- Hari jokes around with her about floating, and she thinks that he has the same humor as her brothers.
- She notices that Hari seems stronger in the water, and hopes for the best. He's so weak after his swim, though, that he has to be carried home.
- Once at home, Hari hacks and coughs so much that they call a doc to come see him. Alas, Hari's even weaker than before and there's nothing anyone can do.
- Mrs. Mehta and Koly cry together. Even though Koly hasn't known Hari for a long time, she wants him to get better and worries about him.
- That night Hari dies and Mrs. Mehta wails. Mr. Mehta comes to see Koly and apologizes for letting her marry their son when he was so sick; they needed the money for the journey and really thought it would help Hari.
- Koly realizes that she can't go home to her parents because she's already been married and no suitor will want her. But she's also not married anymore. The girl's a widow at thirteen.
- The funeral for Hari is held, and Koly puts a garland around his neck for Chandra just like she promised. Hari's ashes are scattered by the Ganges at least, which is good luck.
- Mr. Mehta promises they will take care of her, and on the way home, Mrs. Mehta buys her a cheap white sari that widows wear.