Chapters 3 & 4 Summary

Chapter 3

At the age of twelve Betty develops a finicky appetite and will eat only cornbread. Charles objects and says that is not healthy, but Lottie says it is fine so long as Betty eats enough to remain full. After a time of eating nothing but cornbread Betty begins to experience constant fatigue and skin ailments. The doctor says that Betty is suffering from pellagra, and criticizes Lottie for not providing better meals for Betty. He also says he intends to stop by the mill and tells Charles what the problem is with his daughter.

Charles uses the news as an occasion to ridicule Lottie and Lottie is understandably ashamed.

Lottie has beautiful handwriting, but it is so ornate that she is the only person who can read it easily. She often assists neighbors that cannot read with composing letters or filing out...