Ed and the children meet Mamah at a Canadian camp. She thinks about how long it’s been since she’s seen them; John recognizes her, but Martha is shy. While the children sleep, Mamah and Ed discuss custody. He wants the children to live with him full-time, but Mamah requests a few months per year with them; Ed concedes to four weeks. In return, Mamah apologizes for the sorrow she’s caused. When she left Boulder, John wandered off looking for her. She nearly weeps but doesn’t allow herself.

Ed leaves in the morning, and Martha is clearly upset. John stays near Martha as a source of comfort. Mamah puts the children on a canoe ride with other children and thinks about how her affair pushed them away, especially young Martha. One afternoon, a dog wanders to John at the camp, and the boy quickly takes to him. Learning that the dog is likely a stray, Martha asks if they can keep him, and Mamah allows it. Though the family posts signs advertising the lost dog, Mamah hopes no one claims him. Ed won’t let the children have a dog, so Mamah sees it as an opportunity to bond with her children.