Chapter One Summary

The novel opens with the line, "I know about Masenier because I was there. I seen him die." Masenier is the only son born into a family with four daughters. Although Julie is the second born, everyone, even her older sister, looks up to her. Masenier is spoiled by all his sisters and his parents. Someone boils him an egg every morning, even when eggs are scarce, and Momma bakes him biscuits with molasses. He has always been such a healthy boy that when he starts to look peaked, everyone begins to worry. Everyone thinks Masenier has colic, so they brew him special tonics and tea, hoping something will take away the pain in his belly. Papa comes down with a cough, too, so most of the hard labor outside falls to Julie, who is as strong and determined as a...