Part One, Chapter 9 Summary

Lizzie tracks down Jacob Fisher and asks him about his sister, in effect telling him about Katie's child before anyone else can. Jacob tells Lizzie little, but is quickly on the phone to his Aunt Leda to find out what is really going on. At the same time, Katie kneels before the elders of the church and confesses to giving birth to an illegitimate child, receiving the punishment of a bann for six weeks. Sarah makes the punishment easier by putting a table cloth over two tables to hide the fact that there are two because part of the punishment says Katie cannot eat with baptized members of the church. Ellie also helps by taking her meals with Katie.

Katie recalls during this time a night in which Adam came to the farm the night before he was due...