Chapter 4 Summary

Betsey is so pleased with herself over the success of her plan to oust Miss Calhoun that she can hardly wait to tell her friends every detail. To her dismay, her friend Veejay does not congratulate her but instead becomes angry and hurt. For the first time, Betsey learns that Veejay's mother takes care of white children for a living. Based on her treatment of Miss Calhoun, Veejay believes that looks down on her mother for doing day work and looking after white children while her own wait anxiously at the door for her to come home, and breaks off their friendship. For Betsey, it is a harsh lesson in social awareness, and she feels ashamed.

Betsey runs home hoping to catch Bernice Calhoun in time to make amends and tell her mother the truth about what happened, but Miss Calhoun is long...