At a wealthy household, a young woman (addressed as "Miss") presents her two eight-year-old children to family elders. Guests note the woman's resemblance to Jim's mother and ask if the children are Jim's—the eight-year timing matches, and an elder says he must check because confirmed paternity could secure the family's fortune and control of the Northwest Army. The probing continues at dinner but abruptly turns physical when a splintered chopstick punctures the woman's hand and she bleeds. The injury stops the meeting and leaves the paternity question unresolved as attendants rush to help.