Whilst James recovers in hospital from his fall Sydney stays with Dorcas, whom he adores, showing no interest in his father, who discharges himself from hospital early, unsuccessfully trying to bully Dorcas into giving him his son. Nan is cruel to Alf, claiming that she prefers bad boys, but Emma discovers that this is only because the girl feels she is not good enough for Alf. Margaret hides from Thomas in Lark Rise when she develops a nervous rash days before their wedding.