Billy's father tries to comfort him by explaining that he and Billy's mother have long wished to move to town where their children can get an education, but could not afford to do so without the extra money brought in by Billy's hunting. Knowing that Old Dan and Little Ann would suffer in town and that Billy would be devastated to leave them behind, they intended to allow him to live with his grandfather. His father believes that God took Old Dan and Little Ann as a sign that the family was meant to stay together.
