Chapter 4, The Dawn Runner Summary

February 27

Winter had come upon the land and Father Olguin was at home in the rectory, alone and busy. Abel sat in his grandfather's house as he had done every day since his return. On the first and second days after his arrival, he had gone out and got drunk. He had wanted to go on the third, but it was cold and he was in pain and he had no money. He could no longer understand the old man's random words; Francisco was dying. He complained of the cold even though there was a fire and he lay under three blankets and Abel's gray coat. Abel dipped a cloth in water and pressed it to his grandfather's mouth and forehead. It was growing late and Abel dozed.

When they were old enough, Francisco took his grandsons...