Chapter 7 Summary

Ethan goes upstairs to see Zeena and finds her sitting in her chair with her traveling clothes still on. She tells him that the doctor said she has complications and needs an operation. Zeena tells him that she has hired a girl to come work for them so that she won't have to do anything. He is dismayed that she would cause a long-term drain on finances by hiring someone.

Ethan and Zeena have their first open fight. Ethan says that he will help do anything that Zeena can no longer do. She claims she lost her health caring for his invalid mother. Ethan has to admit that he has gotten no money from Mr. Hale. He feels weak at this admission, and he knows Zeena will throw this up against him forever.

Zeena discusses the wages of a new hired hand because...