A Gathering of Days Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 8 Summary

Chapter 8 Summary

The chapter opens with the heated debate escalating between Teacher Holt and the town. As it turns out, Teacher Holt moves from the M. home to the Shipman home because the M. family was the first and loudest to condemn Teacher Holt. The matter of payment is quickly finalized, and Teacher Holt agrees to teach only that which the town's elect group have approved. In fact, Teacher Holt abides by it to the letter. One day, when Catherine has to return to the class for something, she finds a group of boys gathered around Teacher Holt. Teacher Holt is reading from The Liberator to the small group. When Catherine tells Cassie, Cassie explains that it is a regular occurrence and that Teacher Holt is obeying the townspeople by not teaching it during the school hours. Catherine turns 14, and her father begins to tell her about the day she was...
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