Summary

In "The Well," Josefina remembered the trip to the witch's house. She, her parents, grandmother, and sister, Mariela, had all gone together. The other three women "were always afraid" (38). They were constantly paranoid that something terrible would happen. Josefina was the only one who did not fear.

At the witch Doña Irene's house, Josefina's mother got upset when Josefina ran towards Irene's well to look at her reflection in the water. While Irene, or as they called her, The Woman, worked with her grandmother, mother, and sister, Josefina examined her "offerings and knickknacks" (39). The Woman whispered to the other women while Josefina explored. She found a statue representing Saint Death. Finally she rested in The Woman's armchair.

That night, Josefina could not sleep. "Mariela slept soundly" (40). As the days passed, Josefina became more restless and unnerved, but she could...