5 - Summary

Brende is trying to learn more about the personal and family culture of the minimites. He observes an after-dark hoeing session in which the older boys weed fields. This is followed by the girls from the area bringing them food and refreshments. The groups stay almost completely separate the entire time. Brende discusses the marriage process in which a suitor will send a letter of intent to the parents of the girl in which he intends to wed. If they wish, they will invite him to dinner to meet him. The girl decides in the end.
In the next chapter Brende meets a neighbor of his named Edward. Edward has quite an interesting story compared to some of the other minimites. He grew up in a regular catholic household. After fighting in Vietnam, he becomes disgusted with nearly all institutions and decides to become an Anabaptist. Eric helps him weed his fields while they talk. They discuss many issues and disagree on most instances, but seem to get along well nonetheless. Brende also meets Bill, a farmhand under the employ of Edward. Bill is having trouble getting his own homestead started up. Bill and his wife seem to have some difficulties much of the time. Another neighbor of the Brende’s is Harvey, the Miller’s eldest son. He comes to the Brende house one day to offer Eric a pig for $20. Eric decides to work off the bill instead of paying it. Harvey and his wife Gertie seem like a wonderful couple. They are easygoing with a jolly demeanor. They both seem to eat a lot and work a lot. Eric helps Harvey build a pig pen for his home. Eric visits his friend Cornelius. They discuss many issues about minimite life and Cornelius’ beliefs about their society. He believes that the community should be even stricter and not even allow horses, because the early Christians did not use them. Eric also discusses the condition of his wife and the pregnancy. She is doing very well, but having some back pains. They visit Edna the midwife who gives them some tea that will help her and helps plan the birth. The birth will take place at the Brende home making the Brende’s very happy.