Summary

Chapter 51 occurs in Sofya’s perspective, after herself and Eliza visited General Yakofnavich. Sofya is numb to everything but the knowledge that Afon is dead. Madame Fournier informs them that a police officer has been stationed at the school, but she “‘must make sure this does not traumatize the child’’ (397). Sofya is not sure whether he will remember her, and the headmistress suggests that Max be placed in a temporary home during the transition. Sofya tells Madame Fournier that she will not leave without Max. The headmistress’ “‘final offer’” is to have Max sent to her office and to see if he remembers Sofya (398).

Max is brought into the office and Sofya observes a “a certain hardness” in him and wonders if he has been mistreated (398). Max does not react to Sofya’s greeting. Eliza suggests that Sofya refer to him by a...