Chapters 9 - 10, By the Grace of Lurvy, The Substance of Things Hoped For Summary

Christmas '62 rolls around and Jeremiah is still unemployed, save for odd jobs he finds. Christmas is meager, and Swede wants to take a trip to look for Davy. Ten days prior to Christmas, Dr. Nokes pays the Land's a visit and finds that Jeremiah has a terrible cough and lung congestion, like Reuben does. Nokes is also worried about Reuben. Antibiotics would cure Jeremiah, but not Reuben, who couldn't take infection. He has to stay away from Jeremiah and encourages Reuben to take a job working outside on a corncrib.

As Reuben is working, Swede comes to tell him that Jeremiah's condition is worsening and Reuben goes to see Jeremiah in his room. Jeremiah suggests that they move...