Almanzo has been thinking over the issue of how little food the town has. He and Royal discuss the fact that provisions are running low. Almanzo calculates that if a train cannot get into town until April, even if they eat all of the wheat Almanzo has saved, the town will still starve to death. Almanzo decides that he must go after the wheat that is out on a homestead 20 miles away, but Royal reminds him that they have hardly had a half day of clear weather in months. Almanzo is determined that it is the only course of action and that it is his decision to make. Royal tells Almanzo that if he is going, Royal will go with him, to which Almanzo objects.

There is a break in the weather, but it is still ferociously cold, and Mary and Laura can hardly twist enough hay to keep the fire going. After Pa returns and does chores and they have the afternoon meal, he goes to the drug store to watch a checkers game. There is no checkers game, but he returns with the news that Almanzo and Cap will try to find the