The Last Green Valley

The Martel and Losing families spend most of June 1944 in the refugee camp. Walt and Will are enrolled in school while the adults, except Lydia and Karoline, receive work assignments. Adeline works in the kitchen, where she hears that Rome fell to the Allies. Emil is excited by the news, telling Adeline that the Allies are their chance to head west. Adeline expresses hesitation about the dangers of the plan.

In late June, the refugees are told that quarantine is over. The Martel and Losing families are given ration cards and keys to their new housing in Wielun. Before they leave the camp, Major Haussmann pulls Emil aside and takes him into a field. Major Haussmann draws his gun, claiming that Emil is the first “true coward” he ever faced. He claims that he should have shot Emil the night they met in Dubossary.

Major Haussmann shoots at Emil twice, intentionally missing both times. Before Emil rejoins his family, Major Haussmann warns Emil that his family will continue to be punished for Emil’s “cowardice.”

The Martels and Losings arrive in Wielun, the first Polish town Hitler attacked in 1939. Adeline notices the empty farmlands surrounding the town and grows concerned about their food supply.