# The Break explained — The Middle Five > Chapter companion for The Middle Five by Francis La Flesche. ## What happens The narrator excitedly searches for Brush to invite him to visit his family, who have returned from the hunt, but Brush declines due to feeling unwell. The narrator spends the day with his family and playmates, engaging in games and witnessing a mourning woman. Returning to the mission, he learns Brush is gravely ill. Despite attempts to see him, he is denied entry. Later, Brush gives the narrator his jackknife, speaks of his impending death, and claims to see his grandfather calling him. Brush dies, and the four remaining boys mourn at his grave before returning to the school, now without their leader. ## Themes in this chapter ### Loss and Grief The chapter centers on Brush's illness and death, and the mourning of a widow for her husband and child. ### Friendship and Loyalty The narrator's promise to bring Brush buffalo meat, the boys' concern for Brush, and Brush's gift of his knife to the narrator. ### Childhood and Play The narrator joins village boys in shooting arrows, singing, and playing 'Follow my leader.' ## Character check-ins ### Me The narrator, who searches for Brush, visits his family, plays with village boys, and witnesses Brush's final moments. ### Brush Brush is ill and declines to join the narrator; he later dies after giving the narrator his jackknife and speaking of his grandfather. ### Lester One of the boys sitting on the fence who informs the narrator of Brush's illness. ### Edwin M. Stanton One of the boys on the fence who asks the narrator if he saw Brush. ### Graybeard Mentioned as having his door open and close during the night of Brush's death. ## Key lines > I been everywhere trying to find you. My folks have come home. Put that old book away and come go with me to see them. There isn’t going to be any school today. I searched everywhere for you. My family is back from the hunt. Leave your book and come with me to see them. School is canceled today. _The narrator excitedly invites Brush to visit his family._ > Frank, it’s right good of you to ask me, but I don’t feel very well; I think I better not go. All my bones ache, and I don’t know what’s the matter with me; but you go ’long, boy, and have a good time; you can tell me all about your visit when you come back. Thank you for asking, Frank, but I'm not feeling well; my bones ache. You go ahead and enjoy yourself, and tell me about it when you return. _Brush declines the invitation due to illness._ > My husband! my little child! My husband! My little child! _The mourning woman laments the loss of her husband and child._ > Brush is awful sick; he’s been raising blood; they sent for the Doctor. Brush is very sick; he's been coughing up blood, and they've called for the doctor. _Lester informs the narrator of Brush's serious condition._ > I have nothing in the world but this knife. I love all of you; but you understand me, so I give it to you. This knife is all I own. I care for all of you, but you understand me best, so I'm giving it to you. _Brush gives his jackknife to the narrator as a token of their bond._ > My grandfather! He calls me. I’m coming, I’m coming! My grandfather is calling me. I am coming! _Brush claims to see his grandfather summoning him as he nears death._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_five_se/chapters/xvi-the-break - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_five_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_five_se/chapters