Summary

Chapters 19 - 23 include the first half of Part 4, “Death Has One Eye; October 1943 - April 1944” (179). Chapter 19 begins in fall, as Anton sits outside smoking and Elisabeth thinks about their attic space. Elisabeth tells Anton she does not like him smoking, but she appreciates everything he has done with the children. She thanks Anton for selling the instruments, and Anton feels guilty. She talks about their wonderful church bells. The chapter ends as they think about how the bells unite them and the town.

Chapter 20 begins as Anton returns from another message delivery and sees the boys outside by the Kopp brother’s field. He sees the boys outside in the pawing through the cold, already harvested field. He realizes the boys are stealing potatoes, and follows them silently into the forest. He thinks about the boys’ father and the role he has to...