The River Has Roots

On a market day, Esther and Ysabel take their willow work into town. There, Pollard purchases their wares and asks to speak with Esther after the market closes. She agrees, and the three arrange to walk to the Hawthorn home together in the evening. After Pollard leaves, Ysabel admits to liking him, to Esther’s horror. Ysabel explains that he is kind to them; that she enjoys his poetry, mediocre though it is; and that he makes her feel seen. Esther thinks about how many stories depict older sisters as jealous of their younger sisters’ looks or lovers; in contrast, she knows that her sister is beautiful and brilliant and that she deserves someone better than Pollard. She tells Ysabel to “demand better than to be worshipped by a crumb” (32).

While at the market, Rin approaches Esther in the form of an unassuming farmer selling eggs. They have a message from Agnes Crow, who would like to purchase Hawthorn willow work in exchange for the eggs. Rin also gives Esther a note from Rin themselves. Esther tries to convince Rin to meet Ysabel, but they gently refuse, saying that they are not ready yet.

Esther returns to Ysabel, who accidentally reads Rin’s note, which is a riddle inviting Esther to meet them by the