1:32:03
I have my own room, and at night I hear
the owls calling back in the woods...
1:32:07
...and our foxes yipping
when something wild comes by.
1:32:11
There are blueberries everywhere.
1:32:13
My fingers are stained purple with them.
1:32:15
Mother insists I'll be attacked by bears
if I stray too far from the house.
1:32:21
Papa's headaches are better,
and I help him clear the fish trap...
1:32:25
...and prepare the food for the animals.
1:32:27
It is unpleasant, sticky work,
but must be done.
1:32:31
I've gotten stronger
handling the skiff.
1:32:34
Mom chides Papa
for making a boy of me.
1:32:36
But I don't mind.
1:32:38
The days it doesn't rain
are God's glory.
1:32:40
Most of our vixens are
close to giving birth.
1:32:43
Some days, I'll go for hours without
speaking, and feel I'm changing...
1:32:48
...perhaps possessed by the soul
of some long-dead lndian girl...
1:32:52
...or perhaps the spirit of a she-wolf.
1:32:55
This morning, I snuck up on Papa
felling a spruce for the fireplace...
1:32:59
...and watched him for a long time
without him seeing me.
1:33:02
Perhaps I shall learn
to become invisible.
1:33:06
I made blueberry pancakes.
1:33:08
Mother says if she eats any more fish,
she'll grow fins and swim back to town.
1:33:13
At night, she has me kneel
with her to pray."
1:33:22
You gonna read us some more?
1:33:36
"The terrible birthing has begun.
1:33:38
We think one of the vixens
ate her litter.
1:33:42
The kits, the ones that survived...
1:33:46
...are lovely once their eyes are open.
1:33:49
Papa told me not to handle them,
but when he is gone, I do.
1:33:55
Their heads are squarish and fluffy."