Summary

In Chapter 37, Ella and Martti begin an intimate physical relationship. It is now May and the weather is nice so Martti suggests a picnic in the garden tomorrow and asks Ella to bring a shovel.

In Chapter 38, Martti and Ella take their picnic basket, blanket and shovel into the back garden and they eat under an apple tree. Their relationship is based on an agreement that they'll only talk about unimportant things. Martti continues to tell Ella little anecdotes about Laura White, just enough to honor her research commitment to Professor Korpimaki. Ella has also started to write a novel about Laura White but hasn't told anyone yet.

When she feels the moment is right, Ella rises to retrieve the shovel and looks at the letter lying on the ground which had come a couple days ago from the dead boy's parents...