Chapters Forty and Forty-One Summary

Ianto and Davy leave the country and their devastated mother. Huw is making money with his carpentry, and takes Olwen and Bron to town for Bron's birthday. Bronwen is uncomfortable about the looks from men, and Huw feels she plays the game of woman. Huw reflects on the lifestyle of townspeople, who are too busy and stressed to enjoy what is around them. Huw buys Treasure Island and Ivanhoe for the boys, and Bron and Olwen buy gifts and clothing.

On the way home, Huw realizes the men are talking about Marxism and stirring up about revolution. Olwen and Bron are threatened by striking workers because of their relationship to Iestyn. Gwilym is resolved that it would be a waste of time to try to reason with the the striking workers, since they are "drunk with unreason...