Summary

When “the gang from the mainland” arrived, the islanders “clustered in a circle around the Larks (187). The officials had come to take the Larks to the asylum. When one man grabbed Rabbit, Candace went after him. The man became violent, beating Rabbit and Candace with a club. Rabbit died. Theo ran to his child. Zachary started screaming. He accused the mainlanders of wrecking families and murdering innocent children (193). He ripped off his clothes as he yelled. He demanded the officials leave the island. When he looked up, “he saw Esther Honey” (194). He realized how much they had been through together and how much he loved her.

Watching Zachary, Esther felt emotional, too. She realized the significance of their love. Before leaving, the officials took the other Larks in the boat.

Over the following days, Esther could not dispel the...