PART THREE - WELCH

SECTION FOUR (Pages 140-144)

Summary

When the kids come home from school, all three refuse to tell Mom and Dad about their problems, because they fear their interference will only make things worse. So, for Jeannette, the bullying continues every day for weeks. They beat her up for being poor - she only has three dresses and must wear them more than once each week. Furthermore, Erma won't allow them to bathe more than once a week, so they are always dirty with oily hair. Jeannette finally has the courage to tell Mom that three black girls are giving her a hard time for her poverty. Mom tells Jeannette to say that Martin Luther King would be ashamed of them. Jeannette tries it, but they only laugh and beat her harder. Jeannette is nonetheless fascinated by........

Notes

Mom's advice about looking for the redeeming quality in every person is really true when it comes to Dinitia. She was more than willing to bully Jeannette until she saw her help her neighbor without any thought of color or race. The contrast to this, of course, is Erma and the other.........

SECTION FIVE (Pages 145-148)

Summary

In late winter, Mom and Dad decide to return to Phoenix and bring back the things they had left behind. Lori, being the oldest is left in charge, but of course, they are all answerable to Erma. Mom is quite excited by the prospect of an adventure. Dad has still not found a job and uses the excuse of union corruption to avoid a job in the mines. Jeannette wishes they are all going together, but Dad refuses to allow them to go, making all kinds of excuses for that as well. Jeannette points out that taking his kids...........

Notes

This chapter is interesting in that it tends to explain why their father behaves the way he does. Ironically, he is........

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