Gene grows uncomfortable at this and tries to change the subject by suggesting that the two go to the Butt Room, Devon's dungeon-like smoking chamber. But Brinker is relentless in his mock accusation and he turns the Butt Room into a court room and conducts an interrogation, with the assistance of the other students already in the room. Gene continues to mask his nervousness and guilt by joking around and finally escapes the trial by intimidating a younger student who was trying to take part in the interrogation. Aside from this schoolboy ruse, no one suspects Gene of his deed. Thus far, the students' only war-related duties involve harvesting apples at a nearby orchard because the regular harvesters have gone into the war.
Snow comes to Devon.
Volunteers are needed to shovel out the railroad yards of the major Boston and Maine line. Gene, Brinker, and others volunteer. On their way to the railroad yard, Gene encounters the eccentric Leper, who has not volunteered, on touring skis in the middle of a field. Today, he is in search of a beaver dam, unlike his classmates who are all eager to be involved in the war. Gene and the others dig a train line out of the snow and watch as a trainload of army recruits passes, men not much older than Gene.