O Pioneers!

16 years have passed since John Bergson’s death. Alexandra’s mother is now also dead and buried next to John. The land around their graves has become populated, successful, and modern. Emil is a young man whose family farm is thriving. He is successful in school and can’t fully remember his childhood of struggle. One day as he is scything, Marie—who is now married—interrupts his work to offer him a ride. They discuss the impending marriage of Emil’s friend Amédée, and Marie remarks on how tan Emil has become since he’s returned from school.

Alexandra has taken in lodgers. A young Swedish woman named Signa is among them; she has a growing attachment to Nelse, another lodger. Ivar is also one of the lodgers; mismanagement of his own land led to homelessness until Alexandra took him in. Barney Flinn is another lodger—an Irishman who essentially works as Alexandra’s foreman.

Ivar tells Alexandra that he heard rumors that her brothers will report him to the authorities and that he will be taken to an asylum. Alexandra assures him she won’t let anything happen to him.