Chapter 15 Summary

Marta asks Mark, but not Jim, to come to dinner. The old ones wish to speak with him. They are concerned about the ancient aboveground burial ground, which is falling into disrepair. Burial boxes have fallen from the trees, and trees have fallen on other boxes. Mark suggests creating a communal grave to move all the remains and broken carvings to, and the elders agree. They start the next day, with a huge community effort. First, the recent growth and underbrush is removed to allow access to the site. Next, the younger men scale the trees and lower the boxes safely to the ground. A large communal grave is dug, and all the remains and associated artifacts are placed in the grave. When everything is completed Mark holds a brief service, and the elders feel that their ancestors' remains are once again at...