The Waters

That summer, the community initiates a tradition of gathering at Boneset Table each Saturday. Donkey accompanies Rose Thorn to these gatherings from a desire to look after her. Lorena ends her relationship with Titus and moves away from Whiteheart, and its citizens feel that it is right that Rose Thorn and Titus are together again. One Saturday, a local teacher gives Donkey a geometry book, and the girl schemes about how to attend school. She watches as people are drawn to Rose Thorn and recognizes that the woman’s presence soothes them and makes them happy. However, the absence of Wild Will—whose boarded-up house is nearby—and of Hermine is palpable.

Molly comes to Rose Cottage every other Saturday to check on Hermine, but Hermine still refuses to speak to her. Molly visits with Rose Thorn at the party each Saturday night before leaving. Meanwhile, Donkey begins fulfilling some of the people’s medicine requests and leaving them at Boneset Table to create the impression that Hermine is providing the remedies. Whenever Hermine helps her, she adds too much of the poisonous elements to the medicine. Donkey does not know whether Hermine does this intentionally or if her sense of proportion has been lost.