Rouncewell asks his son if he would like to remain friends with him even though they are from different social classes. He asks if he wants to follow the path of the six people around him, or to become his partner. The two decide that they would rather be friends than betray each other. The father explains that he has let Nina live for four years because he wants her to stay pure and not to become like him. He also explains that the fertilizer distribution team needs someone who does not take fertilizer but who is a part of the team to distribute the fertilizer. He says that he wants everyone to be able to get along so that they can save Nina and get rid of Aquila. He tells his son that if he comes back from his trip exhausted, he will not bother him anymore.