Virgil repair the cabin that will be their new living place, Miss Simmons arrives with a freshly baked pie. Bill resents "all these women trying to run us", but Virgil explains that his late mother said that "you've got to know how to receive as well as how to give". As Bill goes back to work, Virgil worriedly touches his stomach. Shortly thereafter, Bill hurriedly drives to the Mitchells' house and, with no one answering the front door, runs to the back, breaks a glass panel on the kitchen door and starts to gather ice from the freezer. Just then, Danny and his friends return, with Danny, egged on by his friends, accuses Bill of breaking in, and punches him, making Bill fall unconscious after hitting his head. As Mrs. Mitchell arrives, Bill revives and explains that his father had an appendicitis attack and needs emergency help. As calls are placed to the doctor and the hospital, everyone else leaves, but Danny remains in the house and sees a police car arrive holding the same vagrant who was chased away from the house by Rusty. Jack Wiggins, the gas station owner/attendant, explains to a gathering of locals that "…when I got back, I found this character looting the cash register". The vagrant is brought into the Mitchell house where a confrontation with Rusty makes him blurt out that he didn't steal the dog, but only sold him. Danny regrets his uncharitable behavior Upon hearing the story, Danny goes with Rusty to the cabin and apologizes to Bill, explaining that it should have been obvious that Rusty would have never befriended thieves and that he should have trusted Rusty's instincts. He sits down and has a heart-to-heart talk with Bill about personal feelings and the meaning of home. He invites Bill to live with the Mitchells, but Bill says that he has to go the hospital to check on his father. They leave together with Rusty. Later, as the Mitchells discuss Danny's behavior, he returns home and tells them that "Bill is a great guy" and "how wonderful it is to have a permanent address". He goes upstairs and leaves Rusty in Jeff's room. Later that night, Bill arrives with the news that his father's appendix had burst and that he is calling for Jeff to be at his bedside. Running upstairs, Danny discovers that Jeff and Rusty are gone. The