Chapter 10 Summary and Analysis

In Baltimore, the family lives near enough to Aunt Sister to walk over to visit. Aunt Sister's husband Harold Sharp is a famous liar and ex-Marine, who tells Russell he was shot between the eyes in World War I. Russell loves listening to Harold's wild stories. Harold works at a cemetery, an in Baltimore, Russell has become fascinated with death. The landlord at their apartment holds bodies for an undertaker in the parlor Russell must pass through to get home. One day, one of these bodies inspires Harold to tell stories about being buried alive. To Russell's dismay, Harold hates Russell's hero Roosevelt, claiming Roosevelt is using the presidency to get rich, a story debunked by Russell's mother. Harold is proud to live near writer H.L. Mencken, though it's doubtful he ever read Mencken's work. Russell learns to love Harold...