Joseph had made his bed in the opposite corner, with a trunk containing their clothes forming a barrier between the two simple beds. A second trunk, which held his collection of books and Jakob’s items—things Ma cherished— huddled next to the wood-framed opening to the newly constructed hallway. The two sod houses were now joined into one. Joined into one . . . The houses were one, and—apparently— Ma and Eli were one. Over the past two days, Henrik had tried to avert his gaze whenever Ma and Eli were in close proximity. The dreamy looks they shared seemed out of place for people their age and gave Henrik an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. Joseph clomped into the room, sat on his bed, and leaned against the sod wall. “Henrik, bring the lantern over here.” He patted the top of the trunk separating their beds. “I want to work on my whistle, and I cannot see well enough.” Henrik carried the lantern over and set it on the trunk.
