Summary

In Chapter 12, Varinka reflects on her time working at the estate in the autumn of 1916. With the exception of the countess, she believes the inhabitants of the estate have a good opinion of her. She shares her stories of the estate with her mother, though never with Taras. The countess is to host a dinner for her friend’s visit in the evening.

On the path leading to the estate, the silent approach of Taras and his friend Vladi startles her. They inform Varinka of increasing support for “the cause” and their elevated standing within “the movement” (129). Taras urges Varinka to help the cause and he chokes her as she refuses. Tara persists and tells her to leave the kitchen door unlocked and “‘wave a white towel through the nursery window as a sign [she] has done it’” (130). “A jolt of fear ran...