Chapter 4: Talk of a Town Summary

On December 1st, Dellarobia sits in Hester's kitchen with Valia and Crystal Estep, helping to prep skeins of yarn to re-dye for a spring sale. Hester's home is more oppressive than usual, since Hester has taken custody of the butterflies, commandeering tours of churchgoers curious to see them. Dellarobia is resentful, and mildly irritated with all the attention: a local newspaper reporter wanted to talk to Hester and Dellarobia about her "vision." Cub refuses to charge the tourists because of the "Lord's hand" in the miracle, but Dellarobia insists to Hester, who blames Dellarobia for the loss of income, that she never mentioned God in relation to the butterflies. Frustrated, she leaves to pick up Preston from the bus stop, and Crystal insists on joining her. As they wait in the rain for the bus...