Summary

Chapter 8 is titled “Tick, Tock.” Myron and Matron are both “impossibly old.” Myron is frail and has deep scars on his hands, arms, and face, but his mind is sharp. The older children worry about him. One day, Myron walks through the village with Elijah and Anthea. Elijah, as usual, is telling a story. This story is about a stone that has a lot of knowledge, a mean dragons, ogres, and crows. They walk past vendors selling items as Elijah says, “his face was actually a disguise!” (38). Myron interrupts when they arrive at the butcher shop. The butcher, whose name is Jonathan, is in an argument with the cobbler whose name is Arthur. Anthea admires the cobbler's belt which is filled with tools. The butcher is furious, though the cobbler remains calmer. The cobbler and Myron greet each other with more kindness. The...