The Night Watchman: The Tonsils Summary & Analysis

Since the Homecoming weekend, Patrice has noticed Doris and Valentine whispering to each other about something they won’t tell her. Valentine says that “he” kissed us. When Valentine asks Patrice if she’s going to ask who “he” is, Patrice says, “Barnes?” Valentine asks if Barnes told her, and Patrice, feeling mischievous, says that he did. Patrice, for her part, doesn’t care either way. She certainly doesn’t care about Barnes. The only person she’s jealous of is Wood Mountain because the baby smiles at him when those smiles should belong to her. Meanwhile, because of upcoming visits from the higher-ups, Mr. Vold has taken away coffee breaks at work.

As she walks down the path home, Patrice sees that Wood Mountain is visiting the baby again. He asks Patrice if she thinks the baby needs a warm bag and a cradle board. Patrice says yes, he does, and Wood Mountain offhandedly says he can make it. Patrice agrees in the same offhanded way, though both are aware that it’s a big deal to make the cradle board. Normally, it’s the father who makes the cradle board. Patrice asks him if he’s heard anything from Bernadette about Vera. He says he hasn’t but that he remembers Bernadette saying that Vera was in the “hold,” meaning the hold of a ship. When Patrice doesn’t quite understand, Wood Mountain says that ships are filled with men.