With Ned unjustly fired as an example by Mr. Frawley, Rose wants to take Maggie, Sarah, and Willie back to Halifax with her. Willie refuses to leave, town as does Nellie, until Ned, feeling he's failed her, breaks off their engagement. However, it takes some persuasion by Willie to try to plead on Mr. Frawley to let Ned have his old job at the mine back.