Stave Five: For the Time Being Summary

While on the train, Winnie makes the other passengers uncomfortable by appearing to be talking to herself, but she is actually conversing with Gervasa. Gervasa is speaking more English now, and they can understand one another better. Gervasa explains she is caught between life and death and wants Winnie to exchange places with her. Gervasa accuses Winnie of not wanting her own life anyway, as she was not really living it. Winnie argues that she just let herself go, or fall apart, after the Romania trip and loosing the baby. Her husband finally divorced her because after returning form Romania and the baby's death, she just went through the motions of life without really living it.

Gervasa does not relent and continually pressures Winnie to trade spots with her. Winnie believes she may...