For the first time in several years, the village is visited by a caravan of merchants. The villagers are excited and take the caravan's presence as a sign their village is no longer despised and wretched. Tiras, the patriarch of the merchant clan, establishes a friendship with Jabez. Elishua holds a priceless necklace in her hands, but cannot afford to trade for it. Tiras and Jabez share stories of someone they both know. Why does one of the caravan members seem familiar to Jabez? What can three honeycakes buy? (Chapters 56 & 57)