Summary

Nóra felt physically ill and mentally unstable at the start of Chapter 20, “Elder.” She had a vague understanding of the murder’s gravity, but maintained the belief that the real Micheál would be waiting for her at the cabin in the valley. Her wandering mind made it difficult to answer the prosecution’s questions once she took the stand. She felt helpless in the wake of the men who could not understand Micheál’s declining physical health that she saw for herself. The seriousness of her predicament was realized when the prosecution’s questions insinuated she intentionally murdered the boy. The defense pointed out that Nóra’s intentions were motivated by hope that her only grandson would be cured.

The coroner testified that he believed the incident to have been violent and intentional. Nance took the stand next, and she...