Book four starts out with Jim finishing his years at Harvard, and he has now returned to Black Hawk. After being home for a little while, Jim soon learns that Antonia never was married. Her husband ran off on her, but he left her with a baby. Jim feels very sorry for Antonia when he learns this. Jim asks Mrs. Harling if she can tell him more about Antonia, but she says to visit Widow Steavens and ask her about it.
Later, Jim takes a horse out to Widow Steavens' house. She lives in the country, and she asks Jim to stay over night. She says she will tell him more about Antonia after dinner.
Once dinner has ended, Widow Steavens takes Jim into her family room, and she tells him about Antonia. She explains how Antonia was very excited for her wedding, but her husband had written her and told her that his train route would make them have to live in Denver. Antonia was kind of sad about this, but she soon brushed it off because she was so excited. Antonia takes a train out to Denver and sends a letter that she arrived there safely.
A few weeks later, Antonia arrives back home with nothing. She has not been married, and she is very sad. She says that her fiance ran off to Mexico without her. Antonia is very quiet for a few weeks. She spends all her time out in the fields working, and she only talks to her family. Soon, Antonia has a baby. This surprises her whole family because they did not know that she was pregnant because she always wore bulky clothing.
The next day Jim meets up with Antonia. They walk and talk for a long time. Jim promises Antonia that he will return to see her again, and Antonia promises that she will never forget him.
In book five about twenty years have passed. Jim is going to Nebraska on his way home from a business trip. He finds out that Antonia has married a Bohemian man named Cuzak. They have a nice farm and lots of children. When Jim goes to Antonia's house she does not recognize him at first, but when she does she is brought to tears. Jim and Antonia soon start acting like best friends again. They tell Antonia's children about many of their childhood adventures.
After a few nights, Jim leaves Antonia once again, but they have renewed their friendship.
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