Chapter 6, Pauline Summary

Pauline's starvation makes her unsure when her baby is due. Bernadette keeps her from getting rid of the child. Bernadette and Pauline agree that Pauline should stay on the farm and wear concealing clothes. Pauline still thinks about terminating the pregnancy. Pauline says she knows her baby is a girl, and she will name her Marie, after the Virgin, even though the pregnancy was caused by the devil. The noise of the armistice bells makes her scream, and this noise signals the beginning of the birth. Pauline does not want to push for fear of being ostracized. A scared Bernadette calls her a fool and leaves the room and returns with makeshift forceps. She forces the child out of Pauline with the forceps. Pauline sees a dark being, which came from her and Napoleon's union. The spoons made bruises on both...