Book III, Chapters 19-24 Summary

Taeko grows more ill, possibly with dysentery. She remains at Okubata's. Yukiko goes to help nurse her and Sachiko tells Teinosuke. It is now April, and the cherries have started to blossom.

Sachiko herself goes to Okubata's to see Taeko. She is being attended by a local doctor who says she may have anthrax. Sachiko arranges for Taeko to be moved to a private hospital where she can be seen by Dr. Kushida. Okubata is upset at this.

Taeko is moved to the hospital and Sachiko writes a long letter to Tsuruko explaining what has happened. Taeko begins to improve and Sachiko writes another letter to Tsuruko with the promising news. Tsuruko's response reveals that she is glad Taeko is getting better, as it would have been a smear on the family had she been discovered at...