The Wind Through the Keyhole, pages 129-149 Summary

As winter nears, Nell's bruises fade and her smile returns, though it is more cautious, and though Tim wonders if life would be better if his stepfather had a tragic accident, he pushes the thought out of his head, knowing his father would be ashamed. He is glad that his mother is no longer bruised and there are no more rumors of Kells drinking, but he knows better when Nell insists he will return to school with Widow Smack next year; Tim sees growing older and working more as his mother's smile pales and loses its sparkle, knowing that Kells is to blame. With reaping gone by, the Barony Covenanter arrives in Tree to collect taxes. At Nell's house, the Covenant Man notes that Ross is dead and comments on how...