Chapter 8 Summary

After laying down the law to Dick, Mary leaves him alone with his work, partly out of a reluctance to put him on the defensive, partly because she dislikes being around the actual workings of the farm more than ever, and partly because of her need for a strong husband (see "Quotes", p. 145). She watches the construction of the tobacco barns and the preparing of the tobacco fields with an ever increasing hope that borders on fantasy, hoping that the tobacco will make them a great deal of money and after the end of the growing season they'll be able to move to the city. Within a few months, however, after the rainy season eases seamlessly into drought, it soon becomes apparent to Mary that the tobacco crops are ruined, that there will be no money, and there will be no escape from...