Chapters 8-10 Summary

In chapter eight, Matty goes to Mentor's home to pick up the puppy that Jean promised him, the same puppy the Matty healed. Matty notices that Jean is downtrodden, and Jean tells Matty that she is distraught about her father. Jean reveals that Mentor has traded away his "deepest self" in order to gain the love of Stocktender's widow. This is the reason behind Mentor's physical changes. Matty realizes that Mentor's lack of patience with the puppy and petition to close the borders is a result of the trade. Matty briefly considers using his gift to restore Mentor's heart and soul, but Matty does not think that he is powerful enough to reverse the trade.

Matty returns home to begin the puppy's training. Seer suggests that Matty take the puppy to Leader for a proper name, since Leader gives the townspeople...