In this chapter, we learn that the reapers are brothers. The eldest brother is called "tod," the second is "told," and the silly little brother is "goethe." The young reaper, named tod, is the younger brother of the old one. The old one hates the young one, so he calls him "brother." The reapers decide that the piano keys should be placed in the body of the dead woman, so that they will not be taken from her if she returns.