Ruth, Jan, and Bronia pack up their meager possessions and set off toward Posen and Switzerland. They pass other refugees on the road, many of whom seem dazed and overwhelmed. They get a lift in a lorry and pass bombed-out areas, discarded tanks, shells, trenches, and barbed wire. On their fourth day of traveling, they reach Posen. Ruth is directed to the secretary, but they have no record of Edek. A passing doctor says that they saw Edek at a camp the previous day. They go to the medical camp but learn that Edek ran away the previous day.

Ruth, Jan, and Bronia go to the village of Kolina, where a refugee camp is being set up. They line up for soup. Jan trips and spills his soup. Anarchy breaks out among the line of starving children, who scramble for the bits of food on the ground. Jimpy, Jan’s rooster, is killed in the scuffle. He is dazed when the group is broken up. Suddenly, Edek appears to help Ruth onto her feet.