Barlow spends twelve weeks in his father's house, meeting up again with friends and flirting with their sweethearts.

Barlow is welcomed at his father's house, and at church his appearance impresses people. He attends the Whitsuntide fair at Manchester. Some of the local young men are jealous, and Barlow flirts with their sweethearts. Barlow is sad to part from his family and friends, but is not in love with a neighbour's daughter as some believe.