Book 1: Chapter 14 Summary

Jim wakes up on January 22 and knows that something exciting is happening. Jim finds out that Mr. Shimerda is dead, and Ambrosch is sleeping in their kitchen. Jim's grandfather believes Mr. Shimerda shot himself while lying down in the barn and using his toes. Jake found Krajiek's axe under the manger in the barn, and he thinks it matches the gash in Mr. Shimerda's face. Krajiek behaves very nervously and is scared. Ambrosch has been praying all morning, and Jim's grandmother wants to visit the family. Fuchs rides to fetch the priest and coroner, and everyone else but Jim heads to the Shimerdas' home.

In the meantime, Jim collects firewood, takes care of the hens and begins enjoying the quiet of being alone. Jim believes homesickness killed Mr. Shimerda and that his spirit is hovering over their home because he had...