Section 4 Summary

Almeda visits her doctor because she is unable to sleep. The physician, thinking she would be better if she would marry, prescribes more housework and exercise to tire her out by the end of the day. There is also a bottle of nerve medicine, which Almeda has tried only once because of the wild dreams it stirs in her. Almeda throws herself into cleaning her house, spending time at the church, helping friends with wallpapering, and baking exquisite cakes for special occasions.

One day Almeda decides to make grape jelly, which will make nice Christmas gifts but she starts the process too late in the day and must leave the hot cooked grapes to drain in a cheesecloth bag overnight. Finally collapsing on her bed Almeda drops off to sleep only to be awakened a short time later with a feeling of threatening...