April 1691-August 1691 Summary

Sarah finds her mother near exhaustion with the extra responsibilities of caring for Andrew, who is fighting smallpox, in addition to her regular duties. Mother and daughter clash as a result of extreme tension, and Sarah tries to comfort herself by caring for Hannah. Sarah notices her brother Andrew seemingly recovered from the disease, his face deeply scarred, but evidently having suffered brain damage. Andrew's attention span is short, his memory fragmentary and his ability to hold a lucid conversation all but wiped out. Her father, Thomas, goes hunting every day to provide food for the family. Most days he comes home with a rabbit, or bird, or some other source of protein. When he kills a bear, the family rejoices in its good fortune. But some days he comes home empty-handed and the family goes to bed hungry.

Martha, Sarah's...