Chapter 5 Summary

Mattie and Ethan sit near the stove. A sense of warmth and comfort fills them. However, when Mattie sits in Zeena's chair, it feels as though Zeena is there with them. Both feel uncomfortable. Mattie says that she cannot see to sew and moves back to the chair next to the table lamp. Ethan tends the fire so that he can move his chair to watch Mattie.

Ethan brings up the notion of the thrill of coasting down the steep road. He hopes that the next night it might be possible. They chat in a casual manner. Mattie blushes when Ethan mentions that he saw Nathan and Ruth kissing. He realizes that he has touched upon a subject a woman would not want to discuss, especially alone in the house with him.

Ethan brings the subject back to the practicalities of the impending...