Summary

Three wild pigs approach. Nell aims, fires, and hits a sow. The sow writhes around, so Nell shoots it again in the back of the head to kill it. She then commits to gutting the pig for meat. Nell and Eva work for days to use and preserve the meat from the kill. Considering everything she and Eva have done, Nell feels as if she has passed her Achievements Test. Despite this, as the autumn and winter come on, the house begins falling apart around them from neglect and disrepair. Nell begins to think the redwood stump would be a safer place to live than the house. Not long after Nell’s considerations, Eva finally goes into labor. Nell brings her to the stump where she helps settle Eva in and then builds a fire. Nell and Eva bet the use of the gasoline...