Chapter Five Summary

Life continues for Eva Luna until a scandal involving her madrina changes everything. Madrina gives birth to a stillborn infant, one with two heads, one black one white. The resulting uproar drives the madrina over the edge into madness. Unable to work because of the notoriety, she disappears for long stretches of time, then materializes, demanding Eva's wages. Madrina threatens and begs alternately, until the patrona becomes angry and fires Eva. Eva and Elvira are distraught at being separated, but Elvira always manages to find out where Eva is and visits when she can.

Eva finds work with a Yugoslavian woman who treats her well. The woman has invented a ceramic-like material she calls Universal Matter, with which she can recreate almost anything. Her creations crowd her home, from ashtrays to a complete shrine to an Egyptian pharaoh. Eva would be...