Summary

In Chapter 67, Elena makes a decision to move forward in her life. She spends her own money to outfit her house and her family to fit in better. Elena finds that she has waned as a respected writer during her time away to be a mother; she finds she must revise her political position and look for invigorating material. Occasionally she finds an article written by Nino and is jealous—she had to take a break from her career to be a mother, while the men have marched forward. All of her angst she takes out on Pietro, who works constantly. Further, she feels that he does not take her seriously intellectually. He continues to struggle at the university.

In Chapter 68, Elena tells Pietro that she does not want any more children; he consents to use condoms for the time being. They start...