Chapter 12 Summary

The people in Lazaro and Miguel's village know that the swimmer had promised them gold and rubies. Esperanca, Lazaro's mother, is teased often the she also is expecting a reward for bringing Palinor food every day while he was in prison. Esperanca looks at some of the clothes that belonged to her brother, who drowned 25 years ago, and believes if she alters them she could make an outfit for Palinor to wear home. Lazaro, Miguel, and Esperanca thought a rider would return soon with gold and rubies, but no one has come.

At Sant Clara, Amara has taken immediately to defecating in the litter box. She refuses to urinate in the box, however, and scratches at the door so she can go outside. The nuns are working hard to teach Amara to wear a shift, but the child tears off her garment as...