Summary

Chapter 4 (25-27)

Here, Olga is becoming short-tempered, suspicious and cross, as she cuts ties with friends who are in stable marriages. Her friend Lea tries to comfort her, but Olga resents her efforts. Olga is jealous and suspicious that these friends are informing Mario of her actions and state of dismay. She also suspects they will abandon her, too, because they would rather spend time with happier people. Olga begins using vulgar language in an effort to be powerful.

Chapter 5 (27-30)

In recognizing that Mario is not there to support her emotionally Olga starts to question her own ability to mother. One night while the family is sleeping she finds a lizard in the house and is frightened. She handles the intruder by killing it with a broom, and when she does so her children, a girl, Illaria, almost ten, and a boy...