The next section of the book is narrated by Philip, who is passionate about mining. However his father has never been all that interested in the mine on his property and has closed it when it ceased to make a profit. Philip is angry at his father's treatment of Janna, whom he loves deeply and he regards Mark as a selfish arrogant snob.. who looks down on his working class wife and the working population of St Just where they live.
Marcus, Philip's older brother joins the army and dies of illness, in the early stages of the Great War. Mark tries to make a new relationship with Philip because he feels guilty about the split in the family, but Philip refuses to listen and the 2 of them quarrel continually about the mine. Then because tin is required for war production, the government is willing to put money into the mine and run it as long as needed - so Philip is able to manage his beloved mine. He also makes friends with a mining expert, Alun Trevose, who is Cornish but grew up in South Africa. Trevose is independent minded, hates the upper classes and is also passionate about mining.. and he and Philip become very close. Meanwhile, Mark takes on Alice Penmar, the vicars grand daughter who is a connexon of old Giles Penmar.. as lady-housekeeper at Penmarric. She is clever but rather plain and she becomes a companion to Mark. The sons become suspicious of her - believing that she might be Mark's new mistress or angling to become his wife.
An elderly neighbour dies, leaving his house, Polzillan House, to relatives. Gerald Meredith has served in the War, and is confined to a wheelchair due to war injuries and his sister Helena looks after him. Janna hopes that her favourite son might take an interest in Helena, but he does not.
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