At a riverside playtime Mrs. Warren meets a girl who introduces herself as Alice; she says she'll play with Ian after finishing farm work her grandmother gave her. Back inside, Ian refuses his bitter medicine and insists he won't have the recommended surgery, despite family urging pills will build strength. Staff bring another bowl while Mrs. Warren presses him. The key turn: a nurse announces, "There's a girl named Alice at the door. She says she's here to see Mr. Warren." Mrs. Warren hurries to admit her, leaving Ian's choice unresolved.