Book III, pgs. 364-477 Summary

Lucy doesn't want any servants, even with nine children. Her mother had had slaves. Lucy's mother, Bianca, was unruly as a child and Maimie L. Beech was brought in to be her nursemaid. Bianca is better behaved after four months. Mamie hides the fact that she can't read and always quits when her charges reach the age of six, lest she be found out.

McCloud rewards Maimie with a bonus and she uses some of the money to buy a bottle of perfume for Bianca. She bathes the little girl's hair in the perfume. While the child lays in the sun to dry her hair, wasps cover her head, attracted by the perfume and the child is stung repeatedly. Maimie falls asleep and isn't aware of the child's predicament. Bianca runs around the town with the wasps...