Summary

Sil avoided Mila per her mother’s instructions. She had only run into her once. Mila had not gotten in trouble for sneaking out and told Sil to inform her when her mother’s anger passed. Sometimes Sil wondered if she could “curry some sympathy” from her mother if she told her the truth (172). However, she could never muster the courage.

One day, Sil and her mother ventured “past the western edge of the Marsh” to pick up the “catering from Saint Martha’s” for the upcoming Board meeting (175). Sil was shocked to see jars of fig jam resembling Ena’s jam at the store. Her mother added a jar to the tab and gave Sil a taste.

Because Sil’s mother had to work, Sil delivered and served the food for the Board meeting. The members argued about the upcoming...