Arriving in Germany in 1910, Frieda and Carl attend to their children’s education. None want to stay in Germany but are told they are here to be educated: their parents will return from Australia in 1920.

In October Leonhardi dies of a stroke, leaving Carl’s book without an editor. In January 1911 Carl’s lectures to Frankfurt’s Anthropological Society are a success, so Museum Director Hagen continues publication, but omits the grammars and vocabularies.

Back in Australia Kaibel encourages the Loritja to settle on the Mission. His changes lead to friction between the white staff. Carl’s replacement Oskar Liebler threatens to resign unless those undermining him are dismissed; reluctantly Kaibel agrees. Smarting from Carl’s criticisms of his and Gillen’s work, Spencer arranges for damning reports on Hermannsburg to appear in the press so the Commonwealth Government will resume the Mission. He wants to set up an orphanage for half-caste children, known today as ‘The Stolen Generation’. The Aranda write begging Carl and Frieda to return. Only Theo returns with them. Frieda is stricken by guilt about leaving the other children in Germany.

During World War 1 Carl is officially an ‘enemy alien’, yet Gilruth negates Spencer’s plan and the Mission survives. Frieda’s work with the mothers and children means its population is growing. Sensing that the Lutheran are losing the will to continue their missions, Carl uses the censorship of his letters to communicate with government ministers, and through Hillier opens up dealings with Bishop White to see if the Anglicans might take over if Hermannsburg is abandoned. A second time the Mission is saved.

The war ends but no successor for Carl can be found, so he delays his departure until 1923. By now his health is failing. Having secured Hermannsburg’s future with Administrator Urquhart, in October 1922 he sets off south to reach a doctor but dies at Horseshoe Bend, leaving Frieda to carry on south with young Theo on her own.