Chapters 7 & 8

       In these next two chapters, David learns about the way people act around babies, or the subject of them. His sister, Petra, was born to them. Funny thing is, the family or friends couldn't talk about the mother being pregnant, giving birth, or anything until the inspector came and approved the child as being normal. As David and his family waited, his father grew angrier and angrier. When the inspector finally came after days of waiting, he leisurely took his time in walking to the house, getting into the baby's room, and approving the child. While he did this, David's father was getting pretty red in the face. In the end, Petra was approved and David had a new sister. A few days later, Aunt Harriet stopped for a visit to see the new born baby. Her own baby had also been born a few days before. While his aunt and his mother compare and converse secretly, David's aunt shows her baby; it was a mutant. Her plan was to switch her baby with Petra, get it approved, and then switch them back. This was her third child that turned out to be a mutant, and her husband would leave her if it wasn't approved. Of course both of Dave's parents refused, and sent her away. The next day, they were told Aunt Harriet's body was found in a river.
       In chapter 8, not much happens. David and his family pray for Aunt Harriet, David has nightmares about her and the baby in the river. Uncle Axel, noticing David's mopping, talks with him about mutants and his telepathy. They discuss what happened to the boy who disappeared, and the importance of keeping his gift a secret.
       In these chapters, I think that how they treat babies is so cruel. It's like the holocaust, it's awful. I also think that is why Aunt Harriet died (or committed suicide). I also think that David is thinking seriously now of running away, with his telepathic group, to the Fringes or beyond. All the things he's been taught are being challenged by his uncle, and its deeply affecting him. After the whole baby incident, David will never be the same.