- At supper Amy claims it's her birthday and that no one has remembered. She's really ticked off at Randolph.
- He explains that it's not really her birthday, but she says it feels like it is.
- He gives her some wine and lets her play a song on the pianola to celebrate her unbirthday.
- They send Joel for some wine, but he sneaks into Mr. Sansom's room, tells his father goodbye, and runs out into the night. He and Idabel rendezvous and head out for greener pastures.
- Idabel and Joel make it to Noon City, where the fair is in town.
- Everyone recognizes Idabel, but only Miss Roberta remembers Joel from his visit earlier in the year.
- Miss Roberta refuses to serve Idabel, so she leaves and Joel follows her. They're starving, and Miss Roberta gives Joel some peanuts before they go.
- They go into the 10-cent tent where they see all kinds of strange sights, including Miss Wisteria, a small girl who claims to be 25 years old. The three make friends and decide to go on the Ferris wheel.
- Joel realizes that Idabel is in love with Miss Wisteria. When it's his turn to ride with her, though, Miss Wisteria gropes him.
- It starts raining and everyone runs for shelter. In the confusion Joel sees Randolph and tries to escape. He can't find Idabel and searches frantically for her in all of the tents.
- He ends up in an old house, hiding.
- Miss Wisteria follows him in, looking for him and calling "Little boy." He can't help but feel sorry for her, because she always falls in love with little boys who are her size but who grow up and leave her behind.