The Optimist's Daughter Chapter Summary & Analysis - Part 4 Summary

Part 4 Summary

Laurel had slept all night in the chair and the bird was still in the hallway, although he was now perched on the curtains and sitting very still. She went downstairs to fix some breakfast and heard knocking at the front door. It was Mr.Cheek, a handyman who came around each spring to do odd jobs. He tried to help rid the house of the bird but only ended up letting it into her parents' room. She dismissed him just as Missouri was coming in to work. Together they trapped the creature in two baskets and Laurel was able to let it free.

For the next hour, Laurel stood in the driveway burning all the letters and papers from the house. Then she went inside to prepare to leave. She pinned her hair up, dressed for Chicago and looked at the house one last time. There was nothing left to...
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