38 years later, Roch and Berthe are still living at Farrebique. As his grand father had foretold, Raymond has taken over running the farm. But the times have changed and the farms in the area have been transformed : specialization, mass production, industrilization. At Biquefarre, Raoul wants to sell out ; his land holdings are too small and he doesn't want to get into running a meat factory. Round about, the neighbours are cast envious eyes upon this little plot of land which would allow them to increase their family holdings. And of course, Raoul's nearest neighbours are at the head of the line : the farm of Farrebique. Raoul waits and watches the bids go up.