Chapter 11 Summary

A false spring comes to Trial Valley, melting the snow and swelling the river. While Devola and Ima Dean let the animals out and scrub the house, Mary Call and Romey take advantage of the weather and go wildcrafting. They enjoy the outing, and Romey even jokes that he would like a picture of them, covered in mud and wild-haired, to remember this day sometime when he is far away. Mary Call says she would like a copy to have in her office someday.

Kiser's sister, Goldie Pease, comes to see them, getting stuck in the mud on her way up the road. She demands to see Roy Luther, but Mary Call says he is asleep. Goldie thinks it is odd, but Mary Call explains that he does not sleep well at night since his fall. Goldie was called to the area by...