The boys are also gathering stones. ... She states that the men gather away from the stones. ... Instead of the men being casual and cheerful as they might be at a town gathering she says that "their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed." ... The children are extremely reluctant to join the gathering with their families. ... Guess I gotta fill in for the old man this year." ...
The boys are also gathering stones. ... She states that the men gather away from the stones. ... Instead of the men being casual and cheerful as they might be at a town gathering she says that "their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed." ... The children are extremely reluctant to join the gathering with their families. ... Guess I gotta fill in for the old man this year." ...
The description of the villagers assembling is also told without any evidence of the gathering being for something evil. ... The girls are looking over at the boys, the men are talking about crops, and the women are gossiping and calling their children together. The reader still has no idea that the gathering is destructive. ... there was a hesitation before two men came forward to hold the box steady on the stool while Mr. ... However, it becomes apparent that there is an old and significant pattern being followed. ...
