Suddenly regretful for bragging, the Kid offers Willie a dollar to keep quiet or else. The parents bring out the food. The Kid pays and returns to high praise. Bridge simply looks at a loop of pearls hanging from the Kid's pocket. A gloom settles over the breakfast.
Bridge rises to leave.
The Kid and the girl beg him to stay. Meanwhile, Jim, the postman, gossips with the Cases, revealing old man Baggs beating and robbery, Paynter's murder, Abbie Prim's disappearance and the Prim house burglary. Also the Paynter car carried not only Paynter, but Abigail Prim and the Oskaloosa Kid. Suddenly, a car pulls up outside the Squibb house and three men alight. Bridge recognizes Burton, the private detective.