Summary

Chapters 4 is titled "The Man Who Kissed His Rifle." Anna and the Swallow Man are traveling in winter and are more exposed because of the bare trees and frozen ground. To survive the winter, they know they need to stay closer to people because the land will not provide them with sustenance. They sneak into town every few nights to steal food, learning what doors are unlocked and if pantries are close to those doors. They tell stories and nap to pass the time. One night the Swallow Man goes out, but does not come back. She listens and hears a gunshot and someone laughing. She is relieved when she later hears the Swallow bird call. As they travel the next day, they come across bodies and rifle shells and Anna understands what "rifles did" (89).

Six months later, Anna sees a man she...