Peterson rolls up to his farmhouse. For years, he's been preparing the place, reinforcing the walls, stocking up on food, furnishing the place with his comforts. The farmhouse has become a fort ready to withstand any assault—be it time, nature, or other people.
For a moment, he wonders if he should have brought Sarah or even Marjorie, but he ultimately decides that the person he would really need here is someone like Markham.
A man from the village approaches, noticing Peterson has returned.
The village man brings bacon and dried beef, but when Peterson tries to put it on the account, the man says he wants payment in vegetables and tinned goods.
Peterson detects an edge in his voice.
Inside, Peterson has tea with his dementia-suffering aunt and reticent uncle.
Afterward, Peterson goes to the library and has a cigar. He thinks back to the village man and realizes that beneath the civilized niceties there was a clear threat: food for security.
Peterson realizes that now that he is here, he cannot leave.