Jarry says that it's impossible to know what offer was made, or if one was made at all and, if made, whether or not it would be honored by Montana. Wolcott asks if Swearengen will consider other offers. "That Swearengen traffics in bribes," Jarry says, "I testify to, firsthand." Cy gives a no-shit laugh. Jarry tells Wolcott that his employer, Hearst, will have to decide whether or not he wants to pay Al, but that like it or not, Al's backing of whatever interest is to annex the camp is going to be key. Jarry advises that, knowing this, they should pay Al. He also advises Cy, who is obviously against the enlistment of Al's support, that "combat makes comrades," and thus, he should be resigned.
"Biggest fish I ever seen landed, Commissioner," Cy smarms. "Did I say that resigned enough?" Wolcott ignores this exchange, and asks Jarry if Al has received word about the condition of William Bullock. This annoys Cy, who remarks with heavy irony that it's surprising just which comrades will "show up sentimental."
And what a condition young William is in. Wheezing and gasping, he's going down slow as his folks look on. Get out your handkerchiefs, my sentimental comrades. We're in for it.
As Martha wipes William's forehead in silence, it finally occurs to Bullock what to talk about to their dying son. I am already crying. He says aloud to William that Trixie asked him to thank William for helping her with her numbers, today. He goes on, glassy-eyed, to describe the ducks that are landing on Spearfish Pond. Martha is trying to hold herself together. Through tears, she tells William that his father is eager to hear him sound his duck calls. "Hear you callin' them in," Bullock says, having to clench to keep himself from falling apart. This is perhaps the saddest little tableau ever, seeing this dying child surrounded by his emotionally confused parents.
Bullock pauses to stifle a sob, and says, "I'm proud of the calls you've made. I've much enjoyed showing you how to make them, and how you make them better than I do." I wonder, right here, if Bullock is speaking as himself, or as his brother, William's actual father. I remember William was talking last week about how his father knew all about duck calling, but then Bullock said they would go calling, later, and...who cares, right? It's all terribly sad, and I'm sad and we're all sad.
"Thank you," Bullock goes on, "for caring for your mother at times when I'm away. It's a comfort to know you are with her. I am much pleased now that we all can be together." Martha says she, too, is very pleased, "as is your father." Bullock repeats it all, like he wants to reiterate the important parts: "Calling ducks...and your garden...helping your mother...and that we love you..." Martha tells William to rest, now, that they will all rest and rise up together.