Robin feels alienated from the other men in his village due to his aversion to their casual violence. To avoid suspicion, he forces himself to go to the Swan alehouse, where he finds the men excited about a “treat” organized by John. The treat is a badger-baiting, a cruel sport where dogs are set upon a cornered badger. Robin watches in horror as several dogs are bloodied as they’re goaded to attack the cornered animal. Pete pushes Robin toward the badger, and Temperance’s pitying gaze threatens to unmask him, so Robin steps forward and joins the men in kicking the badger after it appears to be dead. The animal rallies one last time before a mastiff kills it, leaving the men with an unsatisfied bloodlust.

On his ferry ride home, Pete makes a scornful remark about the badger wanting her liberty before giving Robin a look of suspicion after Robin tries to sound manly. Later, Robin encounters Anne and Elizabeth on the dark road. In an attempt to sound manly, he chastises  them about being out so late. He immediately regrets it and, worried for their safety, starts to go back. He hears a disturbing, human-like barking sound and hides as a figure approaches.