At the opening of chapter thirteen, Catherine is depressed and stays in bed for days. She gets up only after getting the news that Haleola has died. Rachel decides that she will personally direct Haleola's funeral rather than leaving it to the settlement's funeral societies. Lani, Emily, and Francine come to Haleola's house to help Rachel prepare Haleola for the funeral. Catherine soon joins them. Rachel warns Catherine that the funeral will not be a Christian service. Catherine says she does not care. Rachel speaks the Hawaiian she has learned from Haleola. Catherine is overcome with grief and anger. The service reminds her of her recently deceased mother, and Catherine walks away.
When the girls have said goodbye to the last of the funeral attendees, Rachel goes in search of Catherine and sees her on a cliff above the sea. Catherine jumps into the rough surf below. Rachel jumps in after Catherine and manages to save her, but both are severely injured. That night in the infirmary, Catherine thanks Rachel and tells her everything that has been bothering her.
Months after Haleola's funeral, Rachel gets the news that her third leprosy test is negative and that the Board of Health has asked for a law to be passed allowing settlement residents who no longer show signs of leprosy to leave the colony.
One night Rachel goes to the baseball field where a canvass screen has been set up. The settlement residents see their first movie. Rachel is amazed at the moving pictures, and she is more determined than ever to beat leprosy and leave the settlement.