Rat-fall Summary

The fall following George Viccars' death is one of the loveliest Anna recalls, with warm, sunny dry days. She is so relieved her children aren't ill. Anna and James tend the sheep and then sit on the riverbank. Michael Mompellion stumbles upon them and Tom cries, but Mompellion settles him down. Mompellion is good with the children and Anna is glad to have a kind, open pastor. At home, Jamie surprises Anna by showering her with roses. One day Mary Hadfield finds some of the boys playing with dead rats. Soon after, Edward Hadfield is ill with a high fever. A surgeon uses leeches on him, but when he learns about George's death, he tells Anna for the villagers not to call him. Edward dies before sunset, soon followed by his brother and stepfather. Little Tom is ill and that night, Anna goes...