O Pioneers!

Winter again descends upon Hanover, and the land settles into freezing cold. Emil has left home for Mexico but sends Alexandra letters. Alexandra has not seen Oscar or Lou since Carl’s departure. Despite their close friendship, Alexandra does not tell Marie about her family conflict.

An elderly neighbor, Mrs. Lee, visits Alexandra, and together they pay a visit to Marie. Marie asks about Carl, who has sent sporadic letters to Alexandra depending on his access to the mail. Alexandra passes on Emil’s letters to Marie. Marie admits to Alexandra that she has been crying over Frank’s late nights out of the house. After knowing Frank for a few years, Marie realizes she’s not the right wife for him. Marie believes that she was too young to marry Frank and that Frank is more suited for a timid wife. She worries that Frank is becoming more cantankerous because their personalities are mismatched. Privately, Marie believes that Emil is really writing to her through his letters to his sister.

Alexandra worries about Marie and notices that “[a]fter that day the younger woman seemed to shrink more and more into herself.