- Vardaman watches his mother’s coffin fall into the water. He runs along the shore, calling out to his brothers in panic.
- He believes that Darl is going to get hold of the coffin and bring her back safely to the shore.
- Vardaman notes that Vernon doesn’t go in the water to help. Neither does Anse, for that matter.
- Darl eventually comes out of the water, but without the coffin.