Summary

The communal garden set up by Noah and Yorgos "thrived as it once did under [their] mothers" (149), although the elderly Marta disdainfully notes that she and Sofia were tasked with the bulk of the work, as their brothers "pretty much lost interest" (150) when they entered their final year of school. Noah read in the newspaper that the Civilian Conservation Corps was calling to enlist three million workers. He and Yorgos became "dreamy" (151) at the possibility of better employment on the west coast. Joey did not share the enthusiasm of the other boys. Marta suspected that perhaps leaving Barren Shoal would mean "having a real life after his parents' death" (151), and letting go of the place they once lived together would be too difficult emotionally for him.

When Solomon returned from work that afternoon, he presented a letter from Jacob, Rachel's eldest brother who...