Despite May's assurances that the mine is safe, the miners refuse to go back to work until they are guaranteed by the union that the mine is safe from any explosives. This labor unrest delays mine operations. May is in a Catch-22 situation: she needs an extension on the loan, but the bank won't provide an extension unless the mine is operating. Although Leo offers his moral persuasion assistance, May comes up with another idea when Ethan Newcombe, a friend of the Governor General's, gets stranded in New Bedford: May will convince Newcombe to persuade the Governor General to tour the mine. Newcombe is almost prepared to do so until a series of misunderstandings convinces him that May is unscrupulous and underhanded. Leo convinces May that a visit by the Governor General would not have made any difference in the situation, and it really is her herself that needs to show the miners an act of true belief in her own words to resolve the situation. On another work front, Daisy Whitney is appointed Principal of the school. She promptly buries the Vice-Principal, Max, under a pile of paperwork. And Honey finds out that she's pregnant. Hub is happy but doesn't really see what the big deal is. Fat, however, is not looking forward to yet another person entering the family.
—Huggo