After the discovery that Lord Allingham killed the cow before committing suicide John is released but the family is perturbed that Joe is suffering from shell shock and kindly Dr Ramsey suggests he be kept at home beyond the end of his leave period. Bert blames himself whilst John,to his wife's disgust,turns to religion. Grace is visited by union leader Chalcraft,who forces Hankin to improve working conditions at the factory and accept a union. However he is,as Bairstow appreciates,anxious to replace the female workers with men at the war's end. George has enlisted but,like his mother,is appalled at the hold Wylie has over the now acquiescent Caro. He also shocks Clem with the news of how Joe came to be in his position but neither she nor the Middletons can prevent Joe being roughly returned to the war by military police.
—don @ minifie-1