Contents
Chapter 9
Overview
Reeling from her stitched foot and shock, Natalie is forced by Mary to accept dinner or isolation. Old Caleb returns with the boys, a sparse meal is served, and Mary leads grace, asserting household order. Feverish after, Natalie receives bitter medicine, and Maeve reveals their world’s name: Yesteryear.
Summary
Night falls as Natalie sits injured in the dim kitchen, icing her swollen eye and nursing a freshly stitched foot. When Natalie begs to go home, Mary confronts her, declaring Natalie is their mother and must act like an adult. Mary gives Natalie a choice—eat dinner or go to bed—and desperation pushes Natalie to choose food.
Old Caleb enters with Abel and Noah and delivers a sack of fish. Abel fillets them outside, and Mary boils a thin fish-and-vegetable soup, setting biscuits alongside. When Natalie hesitates to set the table, Maeve and Noah quietly complete the chore. At the table, Abel asks after Natalie’s health; Old Caleb orders her to answer. The boys repeat warnings about “savages,” and Old Caleb has Mary lead grace, underscoring the family’s strict hierarchy.
Natalie tries the biscuits, finding them unexpectedly delicious, and eats hungrily despite the meager, watery soup. After dinner, as her fever mounts, Mary and Old Caleb half-carry her to bed. Suspecting poison, Natalie protests, but Mary administers a thick, rancid-cherry medicine and insists it will help.
Settling in, Natalie discovers Maeve has climbed into bed beside her. As Natalie’s chills worsen, she asks where they truly are. Maeve answers softly that they are “home”—and names it: Yesteryear.
Who Appears
- NatalieInjured and feverish after her foot is stitched; coerced into dinner; receives medicine; learns the place is called Yesteryear.
- MaryTakes charge; rebukes Natalie, sets boundaries, prepares dinner, leads grace, and administers bitter medicine.
- Old CalebPatriarchal figure; brings fish with the boys, enforces obedience, and helps carry Natalie to bed.
- MaeveGentle, loyal child; comforts Natalie in bed and reveals their home’s name: Yesteryear.
- AbelEldest son present at dinner; fillets fish, checks on Natalie, echoes frontier warnings.
- NoahYounger boy; mimics danger from “savages,” helps with table, joins grace.