She heard hearts bounce, tears brewing, and breath going backward, but nobody said a word. By the sorrow and loss and sweetness in their faces she knew that they recognized her, and she accepted their hunger as her homage. She thought of the hunter's great-grandmother, and wondered what it must be like to grow old, and to cry.
The protagonist experiences a deep sense of connection and understanding among those around her, although they remain silent. She perceives their unspoken emotions through their expressions, which reflect sorrow, loss, and sweetness. This recognition allows her to feel a sense of tribute from them, acknowledging her presence and the weight of her journey.
As she contemplates the struggles of aging and the inevitability of tears, the protagonist reflects on the hunter’s great-grandmother. This contemplation serves as a reminder of the universal nature of emotions and the shared human experience of longing and the passage of time.
